2013, aka Year 4, aka "Tree of Life"?

What's different about this New Year vs. other new years in my life is my approach to it. Yes, it's a clean slate, but for the most part I focus on the big picture (i.e. 27 years down, maybe 62 years remaining if God wills it), rather than a series of little chunks. I have hopes for my life this year, but I also know that I've got a lot of time for whatever God wants to do in my life. I am now more able to say, "OK, God, take however long you want." It allows me to live more in joy and less in worry.

I went to my friend David's house today for a "January for Jesus" get-together for prayer, worship, and discussion. We focused on thanking God for what he gave us in the previous year, and on asking him to show or tell us what he has in store for the coming year.

Here's what I would like to share from this meeting:

1.) What part of God's heart does he want to show or share with me this year?

I didn't get a strong sense of anything, but I have chosen to remain with what he has given me over the last year: his provision and a sense that he is taking care of me, holding me close, and going after my heart. I believe that God wants to continue to show me himself as Provider for everything that I need, and I believe that this will be true until he gives me something clear and different, no matter how soon or how late it comes.

2.) If the next season (either all of 2013, the first month or two, or six months) had a heading, a title, what would it be?

3.) Or, if words don't work for you, what images come?

During this time I received the following: first, a vision of a row of green leaves across a header; second, the words "Tree of Life"; and third, an image of a large tree in the middle among the green leaves.

When I shared this with the rest of the group, David immediately gave me the following Bible verse from Proverbs 13:12, which I will share in four translations:

1.) Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. ["http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13:12&version=KJV"] King James Version

2.) Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. ["http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13:12&version=NLT"] New Living Translation

3.) Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. ["http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13:12&version=NIV"] New International Version

4.) Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around. ["http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13:12&version=MSG"] The Message

I will say this: I'm continuing to grow, to become more of a man than I was, and to become more of a man than I already am. God has given me much of my life back, and I'm hungry for more.