Ode to 2025: Take My Life & Let It Be

2024 came with lots of twists and turns, heartbreaks, and bellies full of uncontrollable laughter. While days passed, and sometimes ran together, and the grass withered and the flowers faded, the Word of the Lord remained. The faithful love of God remained better than life itself. Jesus, in the seemingly mundane moments of my days, remained the same yesterday, today, and forever. Even when it felt like I was a tiny, unnamed grain of sand at the bottom of the depths of the ocean, He saw me and called me by name. He was with me and did not leave nor forsake me. 

I am not one for the cliche “new year, new me” messages going into the new year, which is why it has taken me so long to reflect with Him on the upcoming year. So for the sake of vulnerability, even if no one is listening, new year, heart's desire to be consecrated, Lord to thee. 

Before the past year ended, the Lord led me to Psalm 16, and it was there beside His still waters, in the green pastures of His word, that I found life. The Psalmist expressed that he had nothing good besides the Lord. I found immense comfort in that verse because oh, how I strayed away from Jesus by chasing my own desires and will during the past year. Oh, how I left the comfort of the spacious land, the land flowing with milk and honey. Oh, how I mourned after the things of this world that desire for my destruction. Only to return back to the Lord and realize that apart from Him, I have nothing good. In Psalm 73 the Psalmist asks, “Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you.” 

In the comfort of His wings, the Lord allowed me to rest my head on His bosom to hear His heartbeat. His heart for me is when I went whoring from Him, He sought me out as His sheep and delivered me when I was scattered in the cloudy and dark days. It was Him who provided waters in the desolation of my own wilderness and rivers in the deserts of the depth of my soul. 

He is the Lord Jesus Christ who has broken the bands of my yoke that I may go upright and that He may walk among me. It is the Lord my God who has set His eyes upon me to build me up and to plant me and has given me a heart to know Him. It is He Himself who has called me His and sealed me with His Holy Spirit. It is in His presence alone that there is a fullness of joy and at His right hand, pleasures forevermore.

My flesh and my heart fail, but may God be the strength of my heart. For it is good for me to draw near to God, the One who did not leave my soul in hell, the One who maintains my lot. May He be the portion of my inheritance forever, and my cup. May I set Him before me always. As He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Certainly, It is He who will be with me. 

Henini, here I am, Lord. All to thee I freely give. Be it unto me according to thy will. Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee. 

Scriptures referenced

Genesis 16:13

Exodus 3:8, 12

Leviticus 26:12-13

Deuteronomy 31:8

Psalm 23:2 | Psalm 16:2, 5, 8, 10-11 | Psalm 73:25-28 | Psalm 91:4 | Psalm 63:3

Isaiah 43:1 | Isaiah 43:20 | Isaiah 40:8

Jeremiah 24:6-7

Ezekiel 34:12

Luke 1:38

John 13:23

Ephesians 4:30

Hebrews 13:8