I stand in Awe

I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on 2009, trying to come up with a message to share with you today…

In doing so, I’ve come to the conclusion that rather than focusing on one particular event, thought, or “discovery”, I want to talk about the past year in its entirety. I want to look at it as one “body of work”, rather than 365 individual segments.

I’m lead to share this particular Chapter and Verse with you:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

2009 was quite possibly the best year of my life. And I’ll tell you, it wasn’t because of money, or material possessions, or exotic trips, or any of the things that we normally associate with having a “good year.”

Every day of this year, without fail, I’ve gone after God with all that is in me! I have not just knocked, but banged on His door…seeking His face…wanting to know more about Him…being a soldier of Christ…being a light that shines…being everything that God intended for me to be. I have asked…

He has answered…

God has blessed me, graced me, humbled me, with spiritual growth, with wisdom, with a deepened relationship with Him (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), with a new perspective as to who and what He is, with a new circle of friends that have helped me in my quest more than they will ever know, with self-discoveries about myself and who I am, with the tenacity to keep getting up every time I stumble, with an amazingly supportive wife, and with a passion, fire, and love for Him that will never die.

I have already shared much of what I have learned this year with you...and lest I forget…

I am humbled by your presence. I want to thank you for taking this journey with me, for allowing me to share my thoughts with you. If I have touched your mind, or your heart, or your spirit, in any way, then it has made sitting in front of this laptop during everyone one of those fifty-two weeks of 2009 worth the effort.

When The Seed of Hope was launched on October 31, 2008, I made a promise to God that until the fire went out, or the words ran out, I would always write for Him.

I stand in awe; I live life to bless You. I sing a new song; the song of the rescued. Light of the world, shine in my heart like the rise of the dawn. While I stand in awe.

I am amazed, Lord who am I that You are mindful of me? When angels bow down, and heaven declares that You are God; You’re my God. I stand in awe.

“Song of the Rescued” Justin Bradshaw 2009

God is good.

See you next year.