As I looked over some notes I took during the message, a word came to me, "dependency". We had been looking at some verses from the third chapter of Philippians.
Philippians 3:7-12
"7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."
Looking back in verse 9, I saw the difference between living in my own strength and depending on God. "...not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." Too often I make my own plans and try to deal with life in my own strength instead of depending on God's guidance. Further on, in verses 10-11 I observed what Paul sought. "I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection" (and as several versions state), "the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings", becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." How's that for a wish list?
I'm not sure of the exact meaning of each of these goals Paul sought, but they speak to me. The power of the resurrection, to find life in what seems to be death...perhaps a relationship or a dream we have let go of? To participate in suffering, who wants that? But the speaker pointed to what I have felt for a long time, the need to find the good in our suffering of any kind by seeing God at work in the midst, growing closer and more dependent on Him, and understanding His character in more depth..."the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings." And to press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of us." To me this speaks of obedience to a loving father and pointing others to Him.
All of these verses pose a lot to consider, yet this is a time of year when we often take the time to "take stock" of our lives, set goals, rediscover what's important, seek purpose in our lives, and, perhaps, ask God to "give us a word" for the year...a focus, a new purpose, an area to grow.
Dependency, to depend on, lean on...really it goes back to my "cover verse" on this website, John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches... apart from me you can do nothing." This year I will seek to depend on and lean on God more, to (v.12) "press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."