Well, not literally. But ponder this: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
If it’s true God has plans for me, I want to know what they are. Don’t you?
One way to show God we’re serious about discovering His handwriting on our calendars is to have a calendar consecration. I’ve been doing this every December for the last 14 years. It's always meaningful and powerful. Why not join me?
Here's how to consecrate your calendar:
- Set aside a block of uninterrupted time.
- Write Ephesians 2:10 somewhere in your new calendar. (If you use a technology-based calendar, tweak these ideas as needed.)
- Place your calendar before God.
- Pray.
Dear Jesus:
I praise You for giving me life. Thank You for the promise in Ephesians 2:10 that says You have good works for me to do. I want to know what those good works are and be faithful to perform them.
I’m looking at all these pristine squares on my calendar. Soon they'll be covered with scribbled appointments and reminders. I believe You have good works planned for me, so don’t let me miss Your handwriting on my calendar because I've already filled up my days with my plans.
I commit the days You have given me on this planet to Your purposes. I want to live a life that makes You smile. I want to be on Your schedule, fulfilling everything You have in mind for me to do in the minutes and months of my life.
I ask that You would guard my heart from distractions that would hinder me from doing the good works that you prepared for me to do. Keep me aware and awake to Your Spirit’s promptings.
Jesus, if I run ahead or behind of Your perfect plan, I claim the promise of Romans 8:28 that even in my missteps, You will work all things together for good.
Please teach me what it means to “number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Jesus, empower me by Your Spirit to live my life with my eyes focused on what matters to You.
Lord, if You tarry and I am still walking this earth January 1, 2019, may I be able to look back over the filled-in pages of this calendar and rejoice, knowing that I have lived well for Your glory.
I love You,
Kim
You always have such great, positive ways of dealing with our Christian walk, Kim. I love this post and the concept behind it.
ReplyDeleteGail, thank you for your ongoing encouragement. This "Wow Dee Wow" blog would not be a reality without your friendship and generosity of time and skill. May God bless you abundantly dear friend!
DeleteGreat idea and wonderful reminder that we must walk in His will for each day if we truly want to be used by Him.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Vonda, I am so grateful God dropped the Calendar Consecration idea in my heart and then gave me Wow Dee Wow as a means of sharing it with many others! Yay God! Thanks for your encouragement, Vonda.
DeleteDitto the above comments; this is a terrific reminder. I've got a new calendar just waiting for that week before the new year to be filled with names, dates, and everything else. To aspire to live the year out for HIS glory is a holy aspiration, indeed. :) ~Lisa
ReplyDeleteLisa, I'm glad this idea found a home in your heart! Thank you for the encouragement, and may God receive the glory!
DeleteOK, you had me at calendar and floored at Consecrate. As a Planner lover...I love this idea! I have to share this and do it myself. I am blessed. Thanks for sharing this...
ReplyDeletePS found you at Laura's Missional Women! So glad I did!
DeleteDawn, thank you for taking time to let me know God used this idea in your life! What a Yay God to know His idea found a home in your heart. I just heard from a friend in Illinois who said her BIble Study group had a Calendar Consecration together. How marvelous!
DeleteI like setting aside time to pray and plan goals for the new year. Thanks for linking up with Thrive @ Home!
ReplyDeleteJenni, thanks for taking time to comment. Calendar consecration is such a simple idea, but so powerful! Grateful to God for dropping the idea in my heart and then giving me a way to share it with others through Wow Dee Wow!
DeleteGreat post!! I am a planner and yet have never thought about consecrating my new calendar before each new year. I will be doing this for 2013 and here after. Thank you so much for your encouragement. Found you through Hearts 4 Home!
ReplyDelete~Heather
Thank you for your encouragement, Heather. I am delighted that this God Idea is inspiring readers to set aside time to intentional offer the days of our lives back to Him. Hooray and Hallelujah :)
DeleteGREAT tips! I am busy pondering what my new year will look like and what I want to accomplish this year. But that shouldn't be my focus. My focus should be...what does GOD want me to do! Thank you for this reminder today...it was needed! :) I just found your blog from the Raising Arrows link up :) So glad I did!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking time to leave an encouraging comment, Jami. I am thrilled that this idea that God dropped in my heart is being embraced and implemented by Wow Dee Wow's readers. What a "Yay God!" May the days of our lives bring Him glory!
DeleteOh, WOW! You are so right that we need to keep our agenda before the Lord and ask for guidance! What a great idea to take it before the Lord every year...for me, even more! I am so glad you shared at Deep Roots and linked -up. I have not ever been to your blog before, but know it will be so very encouraging to other readers here.
ReplyDeleteI would like to feature this tomorrow on the 'EOA' link-up...I pray you will always share your energy and love for the Lord with us!!
Jacqueline, thank you for your incredibly encouraging words! I'm delighted that God dropped the Calendar Consecration idea in my heart, and then gave me a way to share it with others through my Wow Dee Wow blog. Yay God!
DeleteKim, thank you for such a wonderful idea!! I just got my calendar down off the wall and wrote the three verses you shared on the January page. Thank !
ReplyDeleteJudith, you are so, so welcome! I am so grateful God brought this idea to me...it has been so powerful in my life, and as I have shared it during speaking engagements, one-on-one, or in the written word, God seems to make it powerful in the lives of others, too. Yay God!
DeleteWow! DEE Wow! is right. I had no idea you had a blog like this! Thanks so much for sharing. I will be sure to read your blog from now on! Wisdom and insight from a Woman After God's Own Heart! Be blessed with love from Ethiopia!
ReplyDeleteShelly, you are such an Encourager! Thank you for making me smile today :) Yes, I started this blog in the fall of 2012 and publish a new piece every Wednesday...except I recently took a month off while in Romania and during the Christmas season. Hope you will subscribe so it will come right in to your inbox each week. Thank you again, and to God be the glory! P.S. I would love to write some of your stories.....whatcha think? :)
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