Strength For the New Year

“…Oh my soul, march on in strength!” Judges 5:21b

When I was in elementary school, one Christmas I built my little brother a small cardboard gas station for his Matchbox cars. I cut doors, windows, a second story with a ramp, pumps, a drive-on lift for getting under the cars—everything I could think of—then painted the whole thing white.

Best. Gift. Ever.

All I needed was a large cardboard box, an Exacto knife, lots of tape and glue, and white paint. My mom made sure I had the supplies I needed to make this gift. I couldn’t have done it without her provision. I was just a kid, after all.

Who would face a challenge without the appropriate tools? This occurred to me as I contemplated the new year upon us. I find one of the things I need most is strength—but not in the usual way, as muscle for heavy lifting. To live a year fully devoted to my Savior, I need an inner strength, a spiritual strength.

I need the strength that comes from having the mind of Christ. The strength of His Word on my lips. The strength of holy guidance on a holy path. The strength of conviction that what He says is eternally true and can be depended upon. I need the sense of that Rock beneath my feet, and His power to keep me there, come what may.

I need the strength of a fresh vision. The strength that is expected of an image-bearer of the Most High. The strength of integrity in all my ways. The strength that comes when I depend on Him, lean on Him, trust Him—when I acknowledge Him in all my ways. I need the strength of a surrendered life.

I need the strength of fellowshipping with you, the Body of Christ. The strength of being awake and alive to this life He gave me—ready and alert, watching, listening for that Word behind me telling me which way to turn. I need the strength of deep roots, grounded in Him.

I need the strength of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment that comes from the work and filling of His Holy Spirit. The strength of His love that works in me, and works through me to others. The strength of hope, faith, love, and promises. The strength of the Cross, where I die to myself so that I may live again.

These things will strengthen me in the inner person so that I can move forward without fear into new callings, new ministries, new friends, new adventures with Him.

Lord, grant us, according to the riches of Your glory, to be strengthened with might deep within our inmost self through Your Spirit in us. Amen. (Prayer taken from Ephesians 3:16)