Learning to Abide

Every year I choose a one word resolution. In 2015 my word was Exceed. I wanted to exceed in every talent God had given me. My goal was to exceed His expectations for me and exceed the expectations of those watching me. I wanted to give Him everything I had and then some. I wanted to give of myself 'til it hurt. I wanted to be like the Israelites who were asked to bring what they had for the building of the tabernacle. They brought such an abundance that they had to be stopped because the blessing exceeded the need. I wanted to pour myself out until God himself said stop.

2015 taught me surrender. Every time I wanted to rest I could hear God say "just a little more". I gave myself until it hurt.

In church service one day we were taught on the tabernacle of God. I was struck by a word on a sign hanging in the room. It read: Abide. All day I thought on that word. In fact, I thought on it for weeks. 

It struck me that I had been building something in 2015. I was building my own character. I was learning to sacrifice, to trust, to commit even when it seemed useless. I witnessed miracles and experienced loss and I found a peace that passes all understanding.  
I've selected my word for 2016. This year's word is ABIDE.

The scripture I will be meditating on this year is Psalm 125:1 which says: 
Those who trust in the Lord 
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 
The word abide in that verse is Strong's # 3427 (yahab) which means to sit down, dwell, remain, settle, marry, continue, ease self, endure, and establish.
In 2015 I was taught to exceed limits and I was stretched to excess for His kingdom.

You learn to trust when you're being stretched. It's hard to give him everything completely and abundantly, but it's so worth it. He is trustworthy and he proved it last year when so many times I couldn't see where he was taking me, but walking in the dark, I found myself above the storms. He built something awesome with each thing I laid down, he built a new Heather. 
I really believe that now He is bringing me into a year of abiding, coaxing me to dwell and settle into His presence where He can ease my mind and teach me to just "be His".

This doesn't mean a year of laziness. In fact it's not even close to that. It's a year of steadiness, confidence and unshakable creativity. It's establishment and that means settling in to these gifts he's given me, listening close to his voice, following his leading and making something that will endure. 

This year I don't have a resolution to lose weight or stop a bad habit. I simply want to be the person I was created to be, to cozy up in my purpose and abide in it. 

I have some specific goals to achieve this:
1. Daily Bible time and reflection (getting quiet before God)
2. Writing a minimum of 274 words/ day 
3. Unmovable, unshakable commitment 

This is my year!

What's your one word resolution for 2016? Post in the comments.