This year has been on my radar since 2008. December of 2008, 2 weeks before our wedding, Bryan and I received letters welcoming us the College of Dental Medicine Class of 2013. Ever since then, that is, and forever will be, our identity at school. On our first day of dental school in June 2009 it seemed like an eternity separating us from 2013, dental licenses, being finished with school, and the kicker - not only being a dentist, but know how to be a dentist. Now that year is here!
This is the transition year from us - it is our final step into adulthood where we will no longer be students; but we will become professionals, doctors, and (oh boy...) taxpayers. We hope to also add homeowners to that list of titles (we have a contract on a house! more on that later). At times I thought this year would never come, and yet I feel like it is here before I am ready.
In my devotions this week, I have had several reminders of what I most want this year to be for me and what was number one on my resolution list - a year to grow in knowing God. Not simply just knowledge of God, but actually knowing him. To feel as comfortable with God as I do with my own father, and yet have as much reverence for him as the God of the universe should be shown. To know Jesus as my brother, and yet as my Savior and the person who took the penalty for my sins. To grow in my sense of the Holy Spirit as he is a real and present part of every day. The following quote is from Charles Spurgeon (Morning and Evening, Morning January 4th)
“May God the Holy Spirit enable you to “grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.” He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know Him is “life eternal,” and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet. Whoever has sipped this wine will thirst of more, for although Christ does satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not choked, but whetted.... If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, “Nearer, nearer.” Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Do not rest content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus.”
That is my challenge for this year.
There is so much to look froward to in 2013 - so much that will change, so much to learn, so much to worry about, so much to question, and so much uncertainty. I know that the most important thing that will bring me through this year is a daily dependence on bread from above, that will sustain and guide the myriad of decisions and doubts that lay ahead.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
