In reflection of the past year and contemplation of the new year, I asked myself the question . . . “What will be my driving focus in 2017? ” What would I change about 2016 if I was able to erase and redo? As I look back and gaze forward, I find that my answer would be that I might “Be Still” and “Let God Move Forward”. In all of my reflection backward I see a clear pattern of my successes and failures in 2016. All of my successes can be found to have started with quiet, still moments of time listening to God and waiting for Him to move; while all of my failures stem from moments of rash decision in which I was the driving force behind the resulting wreckage that occurred.

“For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept; then had I been at rest.” Job 3:13

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

In 2017, I want to sit still and see what God will do. I want to pause and learn what He has to say to me, so that He might be able to work through me. I want to wait for Him to move, watching as He orchestrates the notes that will set to music His perfect plan in my life.

“Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.” Ruth 3:18

In 2017, God has a plan for me . . . He has all of the pieces in place, He knows all of the connections that need to be made, He has complete control of every situation that I will face. It is in His plan to bring about His perfect will in and through my life, if only I am still.

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.” II Chronicles 20:17

“For I know the thoughts that I have toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

In 2017, I want to “sit still while God moves forward”.  I want to remove my thoughts from the equation and see His thoughts as they unfold revealing that which pleases Him in and through my life.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55: 8-11

In 2017, I want to spend more time sitting still . . . waiting quietly for God to work through me. I want to see His plans as they unfold, having complete confidence that in Him and by Him all things can and will be accomplished just as He has purposed . . .  Sitting Still While Moving Forward.

“The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” Isaiah 14:24

“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth: even in him.” Ephesians 1: 9-10