Today is the last day of 2016!
I want to reflect on all the blessings I’ve received this past year, as well as many things I’ve learned.
The World Race has been the wake-up call I’ve been searching for and waiting for for years.
I’ve learned that money does not equal success, and that I am gifted, I am loved and adored, I am cherished, I am anointed to usher in the Gospel everywhere I go. I have learned to love deeply and hold loosely. I have learned to fight mightily in prayer. I have tasted and seen how good our Heavenly Father is in ways I cannot count. This year of 2016 has profoundly impacted my life, and I’m brought to tears in knowing that others have been impacted, as well, through God working in and through me. I have learned what the sweet and subtle promptings of Holy Spirit are, and I have been shown what selfless obedience to those Holy promptings looks like. I have seen first-hand the importance of community; it adds grey hair to my head, but community also ushers in more of God’s presence and redemptive work into my life – and I will never be the same because of the amazing community that I’ve been given. I’ve learned the importance of respecting authority and honoring those who have been entrusted to lead and teach.
I have learned my true identity, and with that I have learned who I am not. I’ve learned that each day holds thousands of opportunities to reflect God’s love and extend His grace and mercy to a world desperate for it. I’ve learned that there are so many unique and creative ways to worship the Lord, and I have fallen in love with seeing the creativity of God’s creation praising Him. I have learned that prayer is the difference between what I can do, and what God can do. I have learned how to better show grace to others, and that the person I struggle showing grace to the most is myself. I’ve learned how important it is to love people right where they are at, just as they are – because that is how God loves us. I have learned where the brake pedal is in my emotions, and how to use it. I have learned how to lead my heart, and not follow it. I have learned more and more how to take each thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. I have seen the power and sheer light that is the Word of God, Holy Scripture, and that it is indeed a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, illuminating the way I should travel in this crazy adventure called life. I have learned that the most effective way to evangelize is for me to authentically live a transformed life through the ever sufficient grace of the Lord. The world takes notice of a believer who is all-out pursuing Jesus, and delighting in Him.
A tree is known by its fruit, therefore, I want my life to be known by Christ’s redemptive work in and through me. I want this little light of mine to grow and shine brightly for the renown of Jesus throughout all the nations, one person at a time. I greatly desire that my life bear much good, long-lasting fruit with the time I’ve been given.
I have learned to be content with a little, and to make the most out of the circumstances that life throws my way.
LOVE – I have seen the importance of love in everything I think, everything I speak, and everything I do. It should be the foundation of my life, and behind everything. I want love to be the underlying cause and motivation of my life. I’ve been reminded that God is love, and that as God’s beloved child, I have all of His love right now. There is no need to strive for it, or earn it.
I have learned the importance of finding true rest in the Lord, and the importance of taking rest when necessary. I have learned how to be more warm-cultured, or in other words to value relationship over work, instead of work over relationship.
I’ve learned that every good and perfect gift really does come from above.
I’ve learned that words hold a lot of power and influence, and that I need to be ever mindful of what comes out of my mouth. I’ve also learned that the mouth often speaks from the overflow of the heart. Listening to myself is a great way to see the true condition of my heart.
I’ve learned that spiritual warfare is a touchy subject in the American church, and that it cannot be ignored. I’ve learned how to more effectively fight in this spiritual battle we all find ourselves in, whether we know it or not. I’ve learned that we are not fighting for victory, but we are fighting from victory. I’ve learned that hurt people hurt people, and that our fight is not against people but rather against rulers, principalities, and authorities in the spiritual realm.
I’ve seen time and time again God do extraordinarily much with a little. God’s true heartbeat is one of restoration, renewal, redemption. He is all about unity in the body, healing, bringing together. So praise be to the Lord, oh my soul rejoice!
This is just a fraction of everything that 2016 has taught me.
As you may have noticed, this blog post has a lot of I’s. Me this, me that. God has done a lot within me this year. As the old airline safety briefing before each flight goes, it is wise to put our own oxygen mask on first before we help others with theirs. This year has been about me being changed, healed, renewed. It’s obvious that God sent me on the World Race to change me, and to bring me to a place where I can more effectively help others in putting their oxygen mask on to recover true life, abundant life.
So here’s to reflecting back over 2016, and humbly and confidently opening the door to 2017.
