Today is a significant day in my life. It was on the 8 January 1995 that I decided to commit my life to Jesus, and submit to His Lordship. 22 years ago.
As I inch/crawl near to the 40-year-old mark [it is looming a few short years away]. I am tempted to start telling people my age not in relation to how long I have drawn breath but in relation to when i truly started living life in abundance, the day I committed my life to Jesus.
It's a more flattering number to vocalize.
Truthfully, even though I was drawing breath before then, I truly only came alive at this moment. Not in a cliched over-quoted phrase type of way. But in a genuine, my life was never the same again type of way. It has been an adventure and a half.
In our physical years, and in our spiritual years we all have expectations and milestones we hope to achieve. In the family culture that I grew up in, 21 was a coming of age, finally old enough to fully be considered an adult, to hold the keys to the house etc. It was a milestone and a mark of growing up.
The older I get, the more I am aware that just because technically I was an adult, that didn't make me mature. The same expectation spills over year in and year out in my spiritual growth and walk with God.
I expect to be more at peace, or more blessed/prosperous. I expect to be more mature. I expect to be more whole, have less issues. Have my issues effect me less. I expect to be mature in Christ, and displaying godly character. [if you drive with me and witness my road rage, you will know that Christ like character is not always my strong point.]
Depending on which church you attend and which doctrine's you have been exposed to along with you own thoughts and ideals . . . these expectations bombard us, and truthfully usually deplete our faith instead of building it up.
What I have realized is this and simply this . . . I Am His. I Belong to Christ and His desire/love is for me and He is always with me.
I am so glad that true biblical values are not shaped by society, social media, self expectations nor the expectations of leaders or family or friends. Everything God ordained for us is simply rooted and based in love.
So I stand a 22-year-old Christian, who will love him and serve him with all my imperfections because He loves me with all my imperfections. . . as for maturity.... its over-rated... but wisdom is a pearl to search for and treasure.... Here's to another new love filled, adventure packed year of knowing Christ.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
And so it begins....welcome to 2017
It is the 3rd January 2017 and already I can say, "Wow! What a year!" and its only just begun. This makes me wonder what else could possibly be in store for the rest of the year.
Since 2017 has begun I have traveled 17886 kilometers or 11115 miles [approximately]....true story. I have passed through 3 States in the United States, one North African country [Senegal] before touching down in Johannesburg, South Africa and finally making my way home to Durban, South Africa. I have crossed 7 time zones, my poor body is confused and doesn't know what day it is nor what hour it is, but i think i am somewhere in the future.
I started 2017 in ice and snow, when I landed last night in Durban and it was roughly 26 Degrees Celsius / 78 Fahrenheit and that was at 11 pm. I shed my snow jacket and boots and turned the fan on to attempt to sleep in the warm, humid air. Today was cooler and raining. Yes, SNOW, HEAT and RAIN all in the first 3 days of 2017.
I had spent an awesome Christmas with my "American" family, in Maine, and had to say my good-byes, returning to sunny SA and back to work already. My phone decided to break itself, my toilet seems to be wanting to clog up. My swimming pool seems to be turning green. My cat is fluctuating between a ignoring sulk and demanding attention.
I left 2016 and South Africa, with one suitcase, I entered 2017, and South Africa with 2 suitcases laden with goodies and lots of awesome stuff, including many things that I need to pursue some of my dreams and passions, and also with deepened relationships and bonds.
I am already bombarded with both inspiration and revelation, with plans and dreams and visions mixed with the heavy dose of reality and the mundane routine of the work place. Though that being said, I am hearing some of my bosses plans and its definitely looking like work might become less than mundane....
So ends days 3 of 2017, a year that has already been full to overflowing. . .it will be interesting to see what all God has in store for the rest of the year.
Since 2017 has begun I have traveled 17886 kilometers or 11115 miles [approximately]....true story. I have passed through 3 States in the United States, one North African country [Senegal] before touching down in Johannesburg, South Africa and finally making my way home to Durban, South Africa. I have crossed 7 time zones, my poor body is confused and doesn't know what day it is nor what hour it is, but i think i am somewhere in the future.
I started 2017 in ice and snow, when I landed last night in Durban and it was roughly 26 Degrees Celsius / 78 Fahrenheit and that was at 11 pm. I shed my snow jacket and boots and turned the fan on to attempt to sleep in the warm, humid air. Today was cooler and raining. Yes, SNOW, HEAT and RAIN all in the first 3 days of 2017.
I had spent an awesome Christmas with my "American" family, in Maine, and had to say my good-byes, returning to sunny SA and back to work already. My phone decided to break itself, my toilet seems to be wanting to clog up. My swimming pool seems to be turning green. My cat is fluctuating between a ignoring sulk and demanding attention.
I left 2016 and South Africa, with one suitcase, I entered 2017, and South Africa with 2 suitcases laden with goodies and lots of awesome stuff, including many things that I need to pursue some of my dreams and passions, and also with deepened relationships and bonds.
I am already bombarded with both inspiration and revelation, with plans and dreams and visions mixed with the heavy dose of reality and the mundane routine of the work place. Though that being said, I am hearing some of my bosses plans and its definitely looking like work might become less than mundane....
So ends days 3 of 2017, a year that has already been full to overflowing. . .it will be interesting to see what all God has in store for the rest of the year.
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