Any building that’s going to be tall or considerable has a significant foundation.  Building a foundation is boring, though.  I remember when our house in Texas was being built: the gray, drab concrete gave no indication of how beautiful the house was going to be once finished.  The slab wasn’t interesting to look at.  When the framing went up, we actually got excited to look and walk through the property.

What if we had rushed the foundation or tried to short cut it because it was boring?  What if the six feet of concrete needed for construction ended up only 2 feet because we decided the cost was too high?  How would things look today if we decided the plans weren’t necessary and we could just skip that step?

It sounds ridiculous yet that’s exactly how we treat our lives.  We all would love a “get rich quick” scheme.  No one gets excited about starting at the bottom and working her way up the corporate ladder.  We want the platform without the paying a price.  We all want God to bless us but we oftentimes aren’t willing to get messy and do the behind-the-scenes preparation that’s needed.  He wants to build a foundation in us that can withstand the test of time.  He wants to do something significant in us but there’s work to be done first.

As we kick off 2013, Lift Church is doing a corporate 21 day fast.  We are building a foundation for our year by pressing into God in a deeper way.  I was led to a scripture that says, “When we sow to please the flesh, we reap destruction.  When we sow to please the spirit, we reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8).  I’m good at sowing into my flesh.  I spend a lot of time doing what pleases ME.  Over the next 21 days, I’m going to focus more on pleasing my spirit and laying the groundwork for my year.

2013 is a year to be strong and mighty in Christ.  Powerful in breakthrough for Lift Church.  Deep and wide in our family and relationships.  Far-reaching in our community.  As we press in to hear God’s voice for our lives, we must sow into our Spirits.

We all know life is a journey, not a destination.  And, we’ve heard all the cliches about it being a marathon, not a sprint.  I want to live life to the fullest and I want to grow as a leader year after year.  I want to know God more intimately and enlarge my capacity so I can make the largest impact possible.  Whatever it takes, I’m going to press into His word, pray more, listen more, and break through to a new level in 2013.  Will you join me?

All that he makes and does is honest and true: He paid the ransom for his people, He ordered his Covenant kept forever. He’s so personal and holy, worthy of our respect. The good life begins in the fear of God— Do that and you’ll know the blessing of God. His Hallelujah lasts forever! (Psalm 111:8-11 MSG)