Now that Christmas Day has come and gone, I woke up this morning with the new year on my mind. I reflected on a truly wonderful day in our home yesterday, and wondered what the next week would bring. Our morning started with teary goodbyes to Nat and Kyle who headed to Louisville, and this afternoon our three boys had a visit with their family. That always changes the dynamics of things a little, but this evening all seems well considering …

As I ponder yesterday’s blessings, I interrupt my own thoughts.
Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…

Obey.Your.Thirst. The 90s slogan for Sprite is somewhat memorable, although admittedly I had to look up which soda product had the slogan. But since I’m not a fan of cola, it’s not that surprising that I didn’t know which one was represented in the commercials.
I recalled that slogan in the middle of my thinking today because of my devotional thought this morning. It encouraged me to focus on ONE word for the entire year since the “clutter and complexity of days can lead to procrastination or paralysis” in our Christian journey. Simplicity leads to clarity. That’s really good. So, what ONE word or thing would I intentionally choose to focus on in my prayers this upcoming year?

Coming up with one word is crazy hard for me, because I’m a person of so many words. Too many words.
So I decided that this would be truly great for me. One word. Just one. Maybe it would even help in my lifelong pursuit of using less words. In general. Everyday. For everything.
Confession: I’m a heavy drinker. Not the alcoholic kind, but I do like to keep a drink of something throughout my day. I think I get that from my mom. I remember when I was a child growing up that she almost always had something to drink close by when she was working.

So, if I was to come up with one word, one thought, one pursuit this year,
what would it be? . . .

THIRST.
I have prayed for years to hunger and thirst for God as much as I do a good cup of coffee, a big glass of sweet tea, or a good meal. I have longed to delight in going to bed with thoughts of waking to Him, His grace and His goodness. To wake up thinking of Him and His glory, rather than myself and my thirst. I realize that I have subtly had the “obey your thirst” slogan for my daily life for too long. A daily thirst for the wrong thing … something that never truly satisfies. Too many days I wake up with self on my mind and in my heart.

This year, 2014, I desire to THIRST … for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ. Yes, I have decided that I am striving for thirst of a different kind. A thirst worth obeying.

God being my helper, this one thing I do: I will THIRST more for Him. For His glory and fame. For His power and work in my life.

As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God. I thirst for God, the living God … (because)

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.