Drinking Sparkling Apple Cider, playing cards, rummaging for confetti moments before midnight, cheering “Happy New Year,” ... I can't believe that was already a year ago! In some senses, it seems like just a couple days have passed since then; but then, when I think about all that's happened in the year, everything I've learned, everywhere I've been, the people I've met, the things I've experienced... it seems that one measly year couldn't possibly contain it all. There is NO way on this green earth that I could hope to write about all of it (if it took a year to happen, it would take a century to explain), but as I reflect on the year, I do see some significant themes. I could probably write a book about what and how I learned regarding each theme, but for purposes of this blog (and for times’ sake) I’ll attempt to restrain myself to brief paragraphs.
Beauty: Our family took a vacation to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons this summer. Though we had been just two years ago, I was awe-struck more by the beauty of everything we saw, rather than the memory of seeing it before. I was truly captivated by the mountains and valleys, the many ways water formed itself, the vibrant colors of the trees and explosive flowers, etc. All I could think about was how much MORE Beautiful my Savior and Creator is… not only does He make beauty, but He is Beauty itself! His majesty fills the earth! He is perfect, lacking no good thing, wholly pure, resplendent above all, Holy beyond measure… How can we not fall to our knees, tremble, and shout praises to Him in utter awe of His overwhelming Beauty? And yet, this Beautiful, Majestic, Sovereign, All-Powerful, All-knowing, Saving King is passionate about me and declares me to be beautiful, holy, and blameless in His sight! “He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” – Ephesians 1:4 – I often feel so unattractive, but this year have been encouraged that the Creator of Beauty chose me to be always beautiful and pure in His eyes, regardless of what I do, because I am His. And now my desire is to cultivate inner beauty. Because I am His, I am to reflect/imitate Him who is True Beauty. So though I am not True Beauty itself, the more I cultivate Christ-like habits, the more I reflect Him who is True Beauty and the more I establish imperishable beauty that will never fade.
“Your adornment must not be merely external… but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” – 1 Peter 3:4
Identity: Time after time I have been reminded that who I am is not based on things that I do or have accomplished, but on who I belong to. I am God’s and so no matter what I do, good or bad, I am loved by Him, saved, forgiven, set free, holy and blameless. Though it has been a hard lesson to learn, I am finding that far too often I set my own standards of perfection and seek to be known by those standards. In many cases, I have placed myself above God’s authority, as if my standards are loftier than His. I have focused on disciplining myself so that I might reach my own goals of perfection, but then have been overly frustrated with myself when I don’t reach those goals or when I see something in myself that needs fixing. I haven’t been allowing God to do the fixing in me nor have I remembered His grace. Though it has been a hard lesson to learn, I am realizing that for me to be closer to God and to better understand that I am His, I don’t need to add more disciplines, rules, and standards (for by now that would only be too easy and get me nowhere). Instead, I need to align myself with God’s will – letting His standards reign supreme even over my own standards. It is Christ who lives in me… not my own standards and not my own perfection (since I have none to call my own), but the perfection that He lived, by the grace He has given, and through His very own death. My standards and accomplishments do not save me nor define me. Christ set me free that I might have freedom to be truly His! He has given me an identity of holiness, blamelessness, beauty, purity, forgiveness, freedom, Christ’s, etc. and this is not based on merit, but only through His ultimate grace.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me… I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” – Galatians 2:20-21
Fellowship: If there’s one thing college has taught me as a person, it is the implications and benefits of true friendships. I have discovered that it is true friendships which have allowed me to keep my focus on God and encouraged me to grow stronger in my walk with Him. I am convinced that without fellowship with these friends, I would surely be lost. The way I see it, fellowship evokes life. The spiritual body of Christ must be alive and working through unity that it might endure! By working together in unity, we strengthen each other and, thus, encourage life – which is knowing Christ and the freedom He offers. Throughout this past year, I have grown in my relationship with God, begun to recognize my true identity in Him, cried and laughed and been overwhelmed by God’s love, experienced God’s grace, been touched by His beauty, been personally confronted and transformed, I am who I am and have the endurance to continue seeking the face of God… all because of the close fellowship God has granted through friends. Without them, I know I would be far from the truth. I might think I knew the truth, but would be lacking so profusely. This year has taught me that unity is significant and fellowship is essential to remaining in Christ.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7
As much as I’d love to write more, the closing year calls me to spend time with family. In closing, I have learned so much in just this one year, I can’t wait to see what 2009 holds in store. Somehow, I figure we’ll find out together… thanks for reading!
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