#Verse2014

I used to have these times I called the 'what am I going to be when I grow up freak outs'.  You know, one day I wake up and think that I should have done something different with my life.  This isn't what I was meant to do.  I'd go online and look at college classes I could take then I'd remember I don't want to make the time to go back to school with my full-time job and family to take care of so I'd go to the employment websites and see if I could find a more fulfilling career.  I'd realize that there isn't another line of work that I can do that will make more money without a degree.  Then I remember that I like what I do, it's good work for a J.O.B. and I work for good people.  I'd decide to just cry a little and drink a glass of wine (technically the bottle is glass so when I finished the bottle, I finished a glass...) and remember that my life is just fine where it is.  My husband is such a good man for putting up with this crazy cycle every couple of months or so!

Since I've been reading my bible more and focusing on God more, I haven't had this freak-out.  Funny how things like this happen when you stop focusing on yourself.  Now, though, I'm reminded that of a time when my freak-out lead me to attempt to teach Sunday school at the church I was attending because I thought maybe I was meant for ministry.  That Sunday school class was an epic fail for me and it took me a while to recover from it, but I do still feel like I'm meant for some kind of ministry.  I never did shake that feeling, but I didn't know what to do with it either.

The bible app I downloaded from lifechurch.tv comes with emails from the church.  At EOY they sent an email challenging that I choose one verse from the bible to be the theme of my 2014.  I thought this was an interesting idea and have decided to use a hashtag for the first time ever and join the movement.  I have thought long and hard about this and have prayed about it often since the email and this is what I came up with:

"For I know the plans I have for you,"  declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

This verse seems appropriate for me this year.  I have been praying to God a lot lately to show me what I need to be doing to be in line with His will for my life.  I've made a resolution to spend more time in the Word.  I'm trying to focus more on God and less on me.  So I believe this verse will be the theme of my 2014.  These are some of the runners up from my list:

*I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13

*But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31

*"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" -Matthew 7:7

*Jesus said to them "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." -John 4:34

*Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.  All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for a man who eats with offense. -Romans 14:19-20

Ha!  Now as I am reading all of these back together, they really all go right together.  If I eat His bread I'll have strength to run and not be weary.  I'll not indulge and make food a sin.  If I ask Him, He will show me what He has planned for me and I can do it all through Christ!

What will you choose to be your #Verse2014?