After reading Matthew 11, I realized that it's okay to feel weary. The Lord has designated a place for our burdens at the foot of the cross. Peace and rest are promised! However, I noticed that I try to package my burdens in nice paper and fancy ribbons before laying them at the feet of Jesus.
There are no pretty packages at the foot of the cross, no matter their wrapping.
I'll be honest, mine look like my brother wrapped them in newspaper, backed over them with his car, tried to fix them, and then ran over them again. (Sorry, bro! But you are a self-proclaimed wrapping paper mutilator.) The last couple of weeks, I've been down for the count, but I'm back on my feet and "resolute-ing" a little late. Now is the beginning of my year.
Here goes...
-remember my body is a temple and I how I treat it now will affect me years from now
-continue to identify how the Lord has gifted me and pursue those things
-build authentic relationships with those around me
-jump back into music - playing piano and clarinet again
-READ - a fiction, nonfiction/classical, growth, and 1 book for pleasure a month
-build up the blog (exciting plans coming...Stay Tuned!)
-write everyday, even when I don't feel like it
-finish polishing 1 book, writing another, and begin another
-memorize a verse a month
-try new things - travel, experience, see, and do (see my "Courage" post)
We'll see how I do! Laying my burdens at the cross, it's time to walk into 2012 feeling refreshed and motivated for the year ahead confident that the Lord has good plans for me.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
I strongly recommend "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson. It is deeply Christian. (She was awarded the "Abraham
ReplyDeleteKuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology" here at Princeton Seminary last year.) But it also won a Pulitzer. In short, it's Christian art done wonderfully.
Hopefully you've already read everything she's ever written, are already her biggest fan, and are working on a series of blogs that will promote her name. But if this is the first you've heard of her, make it your January Resolution to finish "Gilead" by the end of the month!
(I know this all may sound hyperbolic. But it's not. I just have a crazy mind-crush on the woman. Did I mention that she teaches at the University of Iowa Writers’
Workshop, one of the best M.F.A. programs in the country? Okay. . .I'm done now. . .I've got to go reread one of her books.)
Well, since it comes so highly recommended, I'll have to check it out! Thanks, Eric!
ReplyDeleteI don't read much religious literature these days, but I second the recommendation for Gilead. It's a beautiful and challenging work - certainly food for thought for you both as a Christian and as a writer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matthew! Good to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and inspiring. Best of luck with all those resolutions!
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
Thank you! I always enjoy reading your posts. Keep it up!
ReplyDelete