2020 MY RENEWED EAGLE YEAR

2020 MY RENEWED EAGLE YEAR
Thursday, December 26, 2019 by Leona Choy

My recent major surgery this late in life was, in one sense, elective. Realistically, if I had not been willing to risk the possible complications of the removal of a large, still growing abdominal mass, it would likely have resulted in “closing shop”--the end of the lifelong ministry to which God called me. I opted to continue making myself available to serve God by enduring the uncertainties of surgery and the extended recovery period.

The “joy that was set before me” was the opportunity to keep serving the Lord in a renewed way, if that were His will, without concern for the accumulation of calendar years with their accompanying limitations and weakness. The rejuvenation of a “senior eagle” analogy (Psalm 103:5) is my goal for 2020.

Like the tired, old eagle, plucking off its bedraggled, worn out feathers, I must “put off” (detach myself from) certain hindrances or weights which so easily drag me down and hold me back. Pruning a fruit-bearing plant too involves pain and suffering of a sort which Jesus applied to us. He declared it was essential for more fruit-bearing. I must “put on” some new layers of positive reinforcement while there is time. Half-way through my nineties, the earth-time-tunnel narrows. I need a fresh anointing of the oil of the Holy Spirit,

My enforced recovery period since surgery has provided me with quiet reflection about changes or adjustments I can still make to my life-course for the rest of the way. Focus and priority become even more important to discern. Like using a GPS, I can recalculate, if I have wandered off course even slightly from my intended destination. It is never too late!

Literally, my skillful surgeon has excised a physical “mountain and cast it into the sea” in Jesus' terminology. That gives me immense relief, greater freedom, quality of life and a sense of well-being. Spiritually as well as practically, I have other habits, cares, anxieties and obstacles to be cast out of my life by my own intention. Time wasters. I must spend my precious time, invest it, not squander it. Aging is not an excuse for slacking fervor in God's Kingdom work or for losing our “first love” for the King of Kings, the Lover of our souls.

On the verge of a new year, I would like to retrain myself to walk and not run in the fast lane as I continue to carry out God's calling on my life with the gifts He has given. The busy, hurried pace is the debilitating one where I lose strength and dissipate my energy. An eagle doesn't flap its wings to fly like other birds. It waits to soar on air currents and seems to take off leisurely. I deliberately choose to offer God my “Restful Availability” and lean into His promise, “For I am confident of this very thing that He who began a good work in you will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6) It is God's responsibility to bring His life-purpose for and through me to completion without frenetic self-efforts on my part.

So what might 2020 look like, if I attempt to live out “Restful Availability”as my “word for the year” to set my course?

Only God knows. I can't speculate. I do anticipate God to exceed my expectations and complete my incompletions. I continue my daily, lifetime morning surrender to His Lordship to “Do all the good I can, by all the means I can, in all the ways I can, in all the places I can, at all the times I can, to all the people I can, as long as ever I can.”

(John Wesley)

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Comments

Joseph Sabounji From Toronto, Canada At 12/28/2019 6:41:02 PM

Congratulations to you dear sister in Christ for being so brave in Christ to face that huge mountain size challenges. You have become my good role model to face my challenges in life b I praise God for you and pray for HIs continued work on you for a more perfect role model by His GRACE. Joseph S.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Friend Joseph,I'm thankful to have you in my life as we pray for each other. Two months since my surgery and God is blessing me over the top with good physical results from the surgery.

Colleen Legare From Stephens City, VA At 12/28/2019 10:49:46 AM

Thank you, Leona, for sharing your thoughts, meditations, aspirations, and godly intentions for the new year. Happy soaring! Love & prayers, Colleen

Reply by: Leona Choy

May the Lord help you to soar too, in the place and among the people where He has planted you to witness for Him. God bless your faithfulness to serve in the charismatic prayer group.

Jim & Martha Weldon From Ohio At 12/27/2019 10:51:26 PM

How encouraging it is to hear from you! We appreciate your words of faith and courage as we begin another new year of focusing on our Lord Jesus and trusting Him to make "all things to work together for our good and His Glory!" More often than you realize you are in our most loving prayers!

Reply by: Leona Choy

Two months since my surgery and God is blessing me over the top with the good results from the surgery. God is so good! I pray for the best year ever for you two in the place God has planted you.

Jo Ciaramitaro From Michigan At 12/27/2019 12:42:26 PM

Leona, it was so good to read your writings again. I have always loved your analogies about the eagle. What a testimony you are to those of us in our "senior" years to keep on serving God regardless of our limitations. Your "Restful Availability" for 2020 is a great mindset for you to have.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Jo, I'm so glad God put you into my life. May you soar like the eagle, renewed in areas you may need renewing, even if it means you have to pluck out some of the old feathers where you need to grow new ones...whatever that may mean in your life.

Elaine From Minnesota At 12/27/2019 9:11:18 AM

Thank you, Leona. I am still in the hospital & needed that encouragement & reminder about serving the Lord. God bless you.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Elaine, in your current hospital experience God has your back. You are exactly where He wants you to influence others for Him even though it may be a silent witness with your attitude of patience and appreciation expressed to your caregivers.

Kay Dawson From Winchester, Virginia At 12/27/2019 8:31:30 AM

And she Is Back ?? Better than ever

Reply by: Leona Choy

Pray for me that I will not flunk the test of taking enough time as necessary in recovery "waiting on the Lord." I want to "soar" serving Him rather than "flap my wings." A continual learning experience.I thank God He put you in my life.

Reen Markland From Stephens City, VA At 12/27/2019 8:13:07 AM

Leona, your are such a gift. Your words, your presence continue to inspire. Thank you for being a blessing in my life. To God be the glory! XO

Reply by: Leona Choy

Reen, I appreciate your loving, wise, skillful help as I prepared for surgery. The Lord has surpassed all expectations with the results from being rid of that "inner attachment" that held back my health. I'll be in touch by email.

Susan Smith From Sparta, Va At 12/27/2019 8:03:47 AM

Your post was exactly what I needed to hear. Best wishes for your recovery. Looking forward to see what the Lord has planned for you in 2030

Reply by: Leona Choy

Thank you, God is blessing me over the top with results from the surgery. I pause to pray for you that you may be open to whatever God has planned for you in this new year too. It may be surprising but will be worth all the struggle and uncertainty to move to a higher level in your relationship with Him.

Louise Looney From Conroe, TX At 12/27/2019 7:52:58 AM

Blessings and may the Lord make the Rest of Your Days the Best of Your Days

Reply by: Leona Choy

Likewise I pray for you, my special friend, that you may be renewed in whatever areas in your life need that special touch from the Lord. May you soar easily and not yield to temptation to flap your wings taking on more "doing" than He has actually called you to. You will know what that is all about as He whispers to you.

Annette From VA At 12/27/2019 7:28:25 AM

I hope your recovery is going well. Please keep Dave and in your prayers . Headed to Baltimore next week.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Praying especially that Dave may be patient with the procedures necessary for his healing. God give you patience in his care as you both relax knowing that God has your back and you are on the right track. I thank God you are in my life.

Daniel DeLalla From Winchester At 12/27/2019 5:19:23 AM

God blessed you, Leona. I will keep you in my prayers. I sure do miss seeing you. Peace and Love, Daniel

Reply by: Leona Choy

Dear God the Father who is in heaven, I pray that You will touch Daniel in the specific areas of his life at this time that he is struggling with. Anything that you may be hanging on to is not worth the joy and harmony and strength God has for you when you surrender all to Him. He will see you through the darkest night with His Light on your path

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