year by year.

“We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;” Nehemiah 10:35

In Nehemiah's day, all who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God entered into an oath to walk in His ways, and this verse is part of that oath. This people obligated themselves to give God their very best, the firstfruits of their harvest, year by year.

Those three words, “year by year”, really stand out to me. It is the fourth day of the new year, 2012, and it amazes me to think of all that happened in 2011. I graduated high school, moved to Montana with Potter's Field, and then moved to El Salvador, where I am now, and that isn't even the half of it. It is a season in my life in which my commitment to God is very clear because I have literally left everything behind to follow His call. However, will my faith still be just as evident when I go back to San Diego in April?

I desire that my life be wholly and continually separated unto God and set apart from the world.

I want the Lord to have my very best, the firstfruits of my life, year by year. I do not know what this next year will bring. As of now, the plan is to return to California and continue working with the Bus Ministry, committing to Such As I Have homeless ministry, and going to school. However, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21). Wherever God takes me or whatever He leads me in to, I obligate myself to bring my very best to Him.

Lord, help me and give me strength. You deserve nothing less than all of my life, and my very best. I don't want to give you mere leftovers. Use me, Jesus.