Like many others, I enjoy choosing a word and a scripture to inspire me at the beginning of each year. The idea is to spend time studying God’s word to direct my daily walk, as well as to guide the thoughts that I share with others.
The word that has dominated my thoughts lately is “Fulfill”. At the age of 64, I will be achieving a goal that has been in my heart and mind since I was a child. In March of 2022, my first work of fiction will be published by Scrivenings Press.
Have you ever seen a dog chasing a car, realizing the futility of that effort? Do you ever feel the urge to ask the dog “Just what will you do with that car if you ever catch it?” That sums up my emotions now. Like that very determined canine, I need to examine the “Why” of my pursuit of publication.
I am quite sure that my “Why” has to do with a desire for acceptance and validation. All of the stories that have been rambling around inside my head must be entertaining to someone else. Surely, the lessons I have learned, the empathy with imaginary characters could comfort and reassure others. After all, they have certainly kept me entertained for six decades. Through all of life’s up and downs, triumphs and heartbreaks, reading and writing fiction has kept me grounded, while allowing me to escape real life frustrations.
So, now God has fulfilled a dream of mine. How can I honor Him? How can I best show my appreciation for this tremendous gift? I searched scripture to find examples of my “word of the year”.
In the Psalms, we learn that God can truly fill our desires. Psalm 20: 4-5 NKJV “May He grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, and the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.” And in Psalms 145: 19 NKJV ” He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.”
But more importantly, He fulfills His own promises. The one great example of this is Jesus. He is the ultimate fulfillment. We celebrate this fact by recognizing His birth as a baby here on earth as the fulfillment of centuries of prophecy. But Jesus explains that His birth was the beginning, not the end. His whole life, death and resurrection are the fulfillment.
Matthew 5: 17-18 NKJV “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
Of course, my purpose in the world pales in comparison to our Lord and Savior. But, God does have a plan for me, and His timing is perfect. My goal of being a published author was just part of this plan. Now that He has fulfilled that dream of mine, I plan to use it to His glory.
As I embark on this journey of fulfillment, I hope you will follow the example of the apostle Paul when he promised to pray for the Christians in Thessalonica: “Therefore we also pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power.” Second Thessalonians 1: 11 NKJV
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