A new year has just begun. Its day eight (8) of 2022 already. The last two years have been extremely difficult, but God is still on his throne. Thousands have fallen but more have survived. Fear of the unknown seem natural in the world but for citizens of God’s kingdom, hope, faith, and love is our ethos despite the menacing clouds. Plans have been made and they that know their God shall be strong and do exploits. They will do this by playing by different rules. The world says fear, but the kingdom says have fear not, have faith in God. Thrive!
Have faith in God. Reject fear! Faith is trust in God despite the circumstances. It is hope expressed and corresponding action based on the word of God. Fear is negative faith. It is hope expressed and corresponding action in something else other than God. Like faith, fear in the adversary instead of God is a choice. Faith in God is not blind though may seem so to the uninitiated. In today’s world fear is pervasive but remember we serve a limitless God who has said he will be with us no matter what (Isaiah 43:2). Go ahead and live your life knowing God neither takes a nap nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). Speak hope, faith, and salvation everywhere.
Live out your purpose daily. Someone once said life is not a race for longevity but a race for quality. Jesus started his ministry at thirty and by thirty-three has finished and changed the world. Few people produce a qualitative life well into their 90s. So, are you racing for longevity or quality? Why are you here? How much time do you have here? Where are you going? These are questions that if honestly answered speaks to your purpose. If you then know your purpose why wait for a convenient time to live it? If you don’t then its time to find out it.
We often start each year with wonderful ideas and objectives but once life challenges appear many procrastinate or stop altogether. Remember every day is a gift. Schedule it and change that situation, build, or mend that relationship, start that new business, or change that job. No procrastination! Live out your purpose daily. Impact others with your gift. Start.
Do not duel on lesser truths. You are what you know. What you know is based on what you heard, read, watched, believe and act on. For example, whatever you believe about Jesus Christ make sure it lines up with reality in scripture. The reality of who he is, what he came to do and how that affects you directly. If you only know that Jesus was a good man, prophet, Jewish rabbi you will be right. But you will be living your life based on a lesser truth. Even if you will eventually not believe in the good news of his redemptive work and soon return, it is imperative that you really know who he truly is for yourself. Your future and the future of your family depend on you knowing the truth for yourself. See Jesus as a person of interest and start the year ticking that one off your to-do list. Imperative.
Enjoy your life – be grateful. We live in an increasingly ungrateful world. Greed, negative influences of media and keeping up with the Joneses have left many unappreciative of the simple things in life. Sadly, until loss is experienced people never truly appreciate the simple over the mundane. But we do not have to experience loss to be grateful and enjoy that relationship, cup of coffee with a friend or fresh air. Remember, despite everything we are encouraged to be grateful (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and enjoy the life we received in Christ (John 10:10). Being grateful is an attitude. Enjoy.
Learn something new. Change is constant. To remain relevant even in a relationship, learn excellent habits, stop inferior habits. Be creative. Change from bad to good and good to best. Stagnation is incipient death. Create and sing new songs to God (Psalm 96:1), pray in new tongues, learn new scriptures, renew your mind, and sharpen your skills (Ecclesiastes 10:10). A man or a woman that is unwilling to learn something new, soon decay. Even the Ancient of days declares “behold, I am about to do something new”. Embrace innovative technology and harness it for the kingdom, your business, and personal growth. Innovate.
Photo Credit – THE 5TH on Unsplash
