In the internet community, “tl;dr” stands for “too long; didn’t read.” It is typically followed by a one-sentence synopsis of what the author wanted their reader to get from the article or post in case the article was, well, too long and wasn’t read.
The posts I write on this blog are an outpouring of my heart, and something you might have noticed or should know about me is that God created me to be wordy. I believe that is a good thing (all good things come from God!) and I won’t be changing or filtering that on this blog. But I know and respect and honor that some of my friends, my family, and the readers that stumble upon this blog don’t learn or absorb content as well in that context. That is why I have created this post!
This post is a compilation of the one-liner proverb-esque things God is teaching me. This specific post is for things I am learning before the Race officially begins. A new “tl;dr” post will be made for each month of my journey, and one for after. I won’t be sending out email alerts each time I update these compilations (although I highly suggest you hit the “Subscribe for Updates” button so you are alerted to any new posts!), but I will send out alerts when a significant amount of content is updated.
I’m cracking up at myself because this is the succinct and compact “just the nitty gritty” post and I’m being wordy hehehe. So without further ado…
What I am Learning (before the Race):
- I am not the things I do. And the things I do do not change who I am (my identity in Christ).
- God delights in me, and is well-pleased with me.
- I am not my pride.
- God cannot be disappointed in us because disappointment is tied to surprise.
- Putting to death the old self and putting on the new self is a synchronous process that we are not expected to do alone and cannot do without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
- Spiritual formation is a lifelong process, in partnership with us, in which God forms us into the image of His Son.
- Each and every person has equal and unique worth and value.
- How to defeat FOMO (fear of missing out): God is present and active in all places. I do not need to be present in a situation or active in someone’s life, because God is present and active in that place or in their life.
- In order for God to put new plans and new things in our lives, oftentimes He calls us to cut away the old plans and old things. Praying for God to make clear to you what needs to be cut away works – He delights in answering that prayer because He delights in blessing us!
- Expectationless expectancy: an expectation that God is going to work, without boundaries or expectations of what that will look like; hope.
- Even when things are hard, we can trust God. Our situation might not be good, but God is good and He is in control.
- Who God created me to be is unique, intentional, and enough.
And this is just the beginning! I know and believe that God is in no way finished with me yet, and I am so glad I have the opportunity to share with you what He is teaching me. It is an honor to be used by God to minister to you, my readers.
To God be the glory forever, amen.
