The year that matters.

It's early.

But that's ok because it's also quiet. I had gotten up early this am to head out for my new 5am run but because it's just a wee bit chilly out {just a wee bit}...so such things have not happened.

I can hardly believe it's the first Monday of 2010. In just a few moments I will get my sleepy girls out of bed, get them dressed and head them to school. The chaotic week will begin after that and quite frankly I'm happy with these moments alone with Jesus right now.

I'm just going to be honest for a moment. I haven't had the best weekend. Opposition has seemed very strong since New Year's Eve over several areas of my life and I haven't quite been able to put my finger on it.

And sometimes we don't put our finger on it...you know?

But I've found myself in the book of Matthew today. Accepting a challenge from our church to read through the New Testament in 30 days. I'm excited to embrace this challenge but also know that when we step further out in faith opposition is going to be stronger.

Sometimes it makes you wonder if it's worth it.

One verse has struck me hard today. In Matthew Chapter 5:6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled."

I think it's really easy to sit behind a computer and fill up a screen with a bunch of words, thoughts and desires. And to do nothing more with those emotions than to write words. But when I read the word "righteousness" I was struck by two things.

1. Righteousness is a shield
2. Righteousness brings deliverance

For sometime in my life I was convinced that the word righteousness was something of self. Like a divine right to act a certain "godly" way. I was so wrong. Righteousness is the one most amazing attribute of our God and one that is probably the most difficult to live out daily. Impossible for you and I to fulfill on our own strength.

It's easy to go through daily doses of life thinking, "This doesn't matter." But it does. It all matters. Every step. Every trial. Every ounce of opposition. It all matters.

2010 is the year that matters.

Seek His righteousness in everything today. In every step, In every moment. Because when you seek righteousness even the mundane situations...they matter. It all matters.

Be blessed my friend. Be strong. Be a pursuer of righteousness in your life.

It matters.