The Unfettered Bloke

It’s hard to believe 2009 is coming to a close. It’s been an awesome year! Back in February, God blessed us with our little boy Landon. Since then, we’ve watched him grow and change so fast. And along the way, God’s been changing me too, showing me how selfish I am and teaching me what unconditional love really means. Landon’s changed our lives in so many ways too, some have been tough changes–privileges and freedoms we’ve had to abandon, but I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

If nothing else happened this year, Landon would have been plenty, but this year I also turned 30 and since then I’ve been making some big changes of my own–spiritually, physically and mentally.

All these changes have been tough and will continue to be as I seek to abandon my selfishness, pride and sheer laziness and apathy to become more like Christ. Every day it feels as if I’ve got a voice playing over and over in my mind saying: “There’s no way this will last. There’s no way you can live this way. You’re a loser, just give up.” It’s only by the grace of God that I haven’t quit already. In and of myself, I know I am nothing. And it’s only when I submit my will to His that I have the strength to keep going.

It’s weird, but it seems like I can hear God’s voice more clearly (and consequently tune out all the others) when I am at my weakest. Recently, it’s been while running–something I started back in October. The other day He used the words of “Voice of Truth” an older song by Casting Crowns to speak directly to these nagging voices and growing doubts. Undoubtedly, you’ve heard these same voices. Especially now in this season of making New Years resolutions. For me personally, the difference so far between success and failure has been my reason for making the changes. I must do all to God’s glory (I Corinthians 10:31). If I do it for my own personal reasons, over time I will fail–as I have so many times in the past.

Do you make New Years resolutions? If so, what are some of yours this year? I’d love to hear from you.

Whatever your resolutions are, I hope the words of this song will be an encouragement to you as you are thinking about what God would have you do in 2010. Because whether you officially make resolutions or not, we should all be striving to become more like Christ in everything we do–something that should be a daily resolution, not a yearly one.

Thanks for reading and thank you for friendship. I’m blessed to have met so many new friends and acquaintances this year who are a continual source of fellowship and encouragement to me. Happy New Year! May God bless you and your family!

“Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I’m in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He’s holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. ‘Boy, you’ll never win!’
“You’ll never win”

But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
And the Voice of Truth says “Do not be afraid!”
And the Voice of Truth says “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they’d have had the strength to stand

But the giant’s calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again “Boy, you’ll never win!
“You’ll never win”

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don’t seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.