Footholds

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to go on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19 NIV

My kids and I enjoy rock climbing gyms. Each of us strives to reach  the top of the wall. The only reason I have for looking down is to find a spot for my foot that will push me high enough for the next handhold. My forward progress is aided when I look back for a better and higher foothold.

Stop for a moment on this New Year’s Eve . From what heights do you now sit and look at the waning year? What struggles have you fought through? What victories were won? What lessons learned? Were there any life-changing events this year? Take inventory. What do you remember most about 2012?

Now, look at these things as potential stepping stones, footholds for the new heights of 2013. Your biggest struggle may catapult you forward in 2013. My son recently completed Hell Week as part of his training with the U. S. Navy. This will neither be a fun nor a fond memory of 2012. He has survived an experience few men choose to endure and when I see him for the holidays, he will be different. Yet, I know this same experience will propel him to new heights and I can’t wait to see what the next year will hold for him.

How about you? What peaks are you eyeing for 2013? Look back, find a good foothold, and press on.

Questions for the Week:

1) Reflect on the passing year. What were your struggles?

2) What were the high points? Victories? Sins conquered? Bad habits changed?

3) How did you grow? What lessons did God teach you? How has your relationship with God changed this year?

4) How have the struggles prepared you to move forward?

5) What are you looking forward to in 2013?