Seeking the Lord in 2021

January 03, 2021

Psalm 84:1-2: "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God."

What do you long for, truly long for at the depths of your being? What do you believe will fill you or provide the security that you crave? Is it greater wealth, a bigger house, a job promotion, a spouse, a child, deeper friendships, weight loss - what do you believe will fill that hole in your heart?

A new year provides the opportunity to look back and to reflect on the previous year. What challenges did you face? What opportunities do you embrace? What did you enjoy most last year? What do you wish you had done differently? Reflection followed by prayerful goal-setting is one of my favorite things to do at the beginning of each year. I am one who loves new goals, who thrives on vision and opportunity. That can be a good thing. However, what if our one main goal for 2021 is to know God better, to walk more faithfully with him, to embrace who he has made us to be, and to do what he has called us to do?

Psalm 84 exemplifies this right longing - a longing for the Lord and to be in his presence. This desire consumed the psalmist, and he rightly expressed his desire in a song. There was a deep understanding that above all else in this world, it was the Lord who would satisfy; it is the Lord who would fill that deep place within humankind; it is the Lord's presence that would bring the fullness of joy.

What if we made seeking God our first New Year's resolution in 2021? With him as our first resolution and our first desire, everything else in this world will likely find its rightful place.

Reflection:
How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions? What would the Lord have you add to that list or take away? Do you know and believe that the Lord is the only One who can truly satisfy?