awake

"God blessed the seventh day and made it holy..." - Genesis 2:3
seven is the most perfect number. it's HIS number. and today is the 7th day of this new year. we have lived days 1-6 and here we are at 7. one week into 2011.

and it is good.

i've been singing a lot of songs lately. these songs not only resound from the speakers in my car or the voices that sing them live before me, but the lyrics echo in my mind. during all hours of my days, i must confess that my attention has not been solely focused on the one friend and the deep conversation that i am almost wholeheartedly lost in... or on the mom who i am helping find jeans for her son... or on running errands and checking things off my unwritten to-do list, because these songs are on repeat in the back of my mind, the lyrics are dancing across my heart and the melodies are flowing through my soul.

✳ shekinah glory come down ✳ break the chains that hinder love ✳ signs, wonders, miracles ✳ open the floodgates of heaven ✳ no power in heaven or hell can keep me from the love of the father on his throne ✳ i can hear the rhythm of the lion of the tribe of judah ✳ you died for freedom ✳ matchless in every way ✳ there is no god like Jehovah ✳ if you don't quit, you win ✳
most of these songs, i've heard for the first time in the past month. and most of these songs, take me away to this magical fairytale-like vision that is so bright with light and there are birds soaring across the blue skies and there is so much joy you could drown in it. the people in this picture are full of life and they are singing.

a life song. a new song. the sweetest song.

i'm declaring 2011 to be a year of song... beautiful poetic notes strung together, possibly accompanied by destined words, or possibly standing alone.

looking back on 2010, i know that i trusted God especially for protection and guidance.
i know that one of the things i will be trusting him especially for this year is provision.

"...ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting..." - James 1:5-6
i am going to continue on this great life song that is over me by declaring proverbs 3 over this year - binding love and faithfulness around my neck, trusting and fearing and honoring the Lord, keeping sight of sound wisdom and discretion, not being afraid, and being humble.

"The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." - James 3:17-18
so i pray the spirit of wisdom to open my eyes and the spirit of revelation to open my heart. this is going to be a great year. we all can feel it.

"...'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time..." - Ephesians 5:14-16