This past year has been filled with a few big changes and a lot of God’s goodness. I’ve gotten to do things I never even imagined doing, and I have gotten to meet some amazing people that I wouldn’t have if God hadn’t made me uncomfortable for a little while, led me through some confusion, and planted me in places I never could have dreamed of.
God has taught me so many things that I will forever treasure, and I want to share a few of them with you.
-number one: God’s plans are greater than I could ever imagine, and even if they don’t happen as fast as I’d like them to, He has me right where I need to be. Looking back now, my dreams for this year were very small compared to what actually happened, but I am beyond overjoyed that His plans were not too small. His plans are overflowing with goodness and mercy even when we can’t see it because we can’t see and understand things very well compared to Him. The Bible says that His ways are higher than our way, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
-number two: God’s there even when the tears are streaming down your face, and they don’t seem like they’ll ever stop. He’s there in the moments when you can’t understand, and all you want is an answer. He’s holding your hand and holding you together when it seems like your world is turning upside down. And He’s right there (I promise) when you cry out to Him. He’s there to answer your questions and to whisper to your heart what you need to hear.
-number three: No matter how good something looks or sounds if it goes against God’s plan for you and His word, it will only bring pain. Anything outside of God’s will for you will only bring hurt, and it won’t bring the joy it promises. God’s promises are the only ones that matter because when He promises joy and a life of abundance, He’s not lying. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?” God promises peace, a hope, joy, love, forgiveness, and an eternal life with Him, and that is SO, SO much better than *anything* this world could offer you, no matter how interesting it looks.
-number four: God definitely answers prayers in the most unexpected ways, and He still works miracles. About a month or so ago, one of my sweet friends was going through a hard time, and she came over to hang out for a little bit to get her mind off things. As we were sitting and talking, I was silently praying for God to bring her peace and remind her that He is always with her. I wasn’t sure how exactly God was going to answer it, and I could see how much she was hurting. (But y’all know we serve a great a great God.) My mom came in my room a few minutes later, and she told us it was snowing outside. Ok, y’all, it’s Texas. That does not just happen, ever. It was so clear the snow was from God, and my friend later said it reminded her how much God loves her. That is just one of the amazing ways I’ve seen God answer so many prayers and work a miracle this year, and I’m so grateful. I pray I never forget them, and that this story encourages y’all.
-number five: It’s difficult to enter the presence of God until we acknowledge that He and the cross are the only reasons we’re able to in the first place. There were many days this year where I put the reason I’m able to be a child of God and enter His presence on me and on what I’ve done or not done. It’s not up to me, and in listening to the devil’s lies otherwise, I’m doubting God’s character and His power. God has slowly but surely taught me to Trust Him more and more and rely on the cross and it’s saving power, not myself. Jesus is the reason we’re able to pray, spend time with God, and He’s able to be with us.
-number six: Joy is found truly and abundantly in Jesus Christ. Joy is not truly found in media, grades, or friends, but it IS found in Jesus, the lover of our souls. And until we dive completely into Him and let Him fill us, we will always be left disappointed, and at the end of every day, we will be burnt out. We WILL keep scrambling for more, but there isn’t more on this side of heaven. On this side of heaven, there are only empty, broken things, created by broken people. I love this quote I once heard. It says, “Anything we build is broken because we are broken.” Woah. It’s so true when you think about it. Since we’re not whole and perfect, how could anyone create something that is whole and perfect? We can’t at all, but there is hope, and there is joy because Jesus is perfect. Jesus is whole, and in Him, we can become whole. Until we’re abiding in Him though, we’re just going to be pouring out our energy, our joy, and (let’s be real) our sanity into pots with cracks and dents, and it’s all going to be wasted. We’re going to be left empty over and over again, but when we allow Jesus to pour life and peace, and joy into us, we WILL be filled in abundance.
As I’ve been writing this, I realized that everything I’ve learned this year can almost be summed up in one verse, and I want to share it with y’all.
In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief (the devil) came only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
With Jesus, we do live abundantly, and even in the darkest and most confusing times, the cross’ power is still there. And it is finished. Death has been conquered, and God is on the throne.
I pray this encourages y’all!! Have a great day, and let me know something God has taught you this year!! ♥️😁