This Poema's Resolution for 2011

His Poema, His Workmanship... the challenge and joy that comes from believing that I was formed for unique and specific good works continues to well up and inspire me. God led me so faithfully today to 2 Timothy Chapters 2 and 3, so that I might go deeper in believing Him in regard to these things.

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

I am His workmanship, fashioned to be his workman for good works. And yet I have the responsibility to train and become equipped for said good works; and the way He equips us is through the reading and application of His Word. Romans 12:2 encourages us in this, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So that you may be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Since becoming a mom seven years ago I have longed for deep study but have not been able to balance life well in this regard. And, needless to say, without it, life has been unbalanced in it's absence. Thankfully I have clung to the Scriptures already hidden in my heart from my youth and young adult life, more than ever seeing them come alive and provide strength during life's difficulties. But it's time to go deeper in His Word, that I might see those deeper truths come alive as well, through the anointed circumstances of life.

I desire for God to do a work in me as I sit in His Presence this year. My prayer is that in 2011 I might look more like Him as I correctly handle the word of truth in our home, in the fellowship of believers, and amongst the lost.

Paul's charge to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2 goes on to instruct this young man of God to look more like Jesus as well. It's a discipline that takes work on our part, as God does the really heavy work with His mighty transforming arm. I remember being at Forest Home's Summer Camp as a youth, and the youth Pastor challenged us that our "try" with God's "Umph" produces "Triumph."

I've been praying over this coupling for some time now - this intricate dance between our Savior and His People. He is the one who woos and yet we have the will to believe and be saved; He is the one who stands firm and yet we are given the freedom to cling to the rock or fall; He is the one who strips away our sinful nature when we are faithful to sit before Him and plead His will be done. And so, like Eunace in C.S. Lewis' "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," I know that to be approved for the good works He's prepared me to do for Him, I too must let His word, by the Power of His Spirit, transform me from a Dragon to a Son, in all areas of my life.

Oh, that we might all dance this dance together, trusting God's Power to be perfected in our weakness', and yet doing our part to come to Him daily in 2011. Finding ourselves equipped so that we might be approved for, and unashamed of the good works set before us.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth..." (2 Timothy 2:15)