Endurance.

So i have a new year motto...mmm...well, its less of a motto, more of a mission...
Endurance.
"Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privelidge where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us - they help us to learn and endure. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to full our hearts with His love." Romans 5: 2-5
So, not unlike last year, the motto leads to looking at problems from a Godly perspective - from an eternal perspective. Seems that God is building something up here.
Endurance...also imprinted by phil 3:12-14...
"I press on to reach the end of the race...and receive the prize for which God, through Jesus, is calling us."
The last two days, have been kind of reflect-ory. Thinking, i can see how God has changed me - and i can see how i need to be changed (well, some not all)...and its awesome. Focusing on what needs to be changed is so daunting, but switching that view to God is ALREADY changing, makes everything seem much more manageable.
But at the end of the day, changing isn't what i live for this year. This year, more than anything i want God...to know more of His mercy, of His saving through my screwups, of His patience and His endurance, of His love for others - and His plans for everyone around me. I want to see through His eyes, and love through His heart. I would really, really like to know what it means to be like this -
But then i recall all You have done Lord; i remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about Your mighty works." Psalm 77: 11-12

In philippians, paul mentions us being 'citizens of heaven', more than once. ("live as citizens of heaven" Phil 1:27)
This took me back to a sermon i vaguely remember last year, where the preacher was talking about living in eternity - saying ETERNITY IS NOW...so we ARE citizens of heaven, we WILL be in heaven eventually, our hometown is heaven - its where we're headed, our ultimate destination. Its strange, i always put eternity in the future - like i will spend eternity with God, yeah ill go live in eternity when i die here. Uh...DUH...eternity includes now - it is all of time, the past, present and future - eternity includes all time. And if im living in eternity now - wow. whole different viewpoint of life.
So, we are citizens of heaven, where God reigns, where things are pure, and holy - then why live here afraid? There is no need to be afraid - no need to fear, or worry...(reminds me of before - If you TRULY believed in God, in His strength, power, omnipotence, His love for you, why fear?).
"Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God Himself." Phil 1:28
Enemies...trials...problems...they ARE going to be destroyed.
As for me...im going to be saved...by God Himself.
:D