This has certainly been a year of change for me. I feel like a totally different person. I have experienced death and life, monotony and change, fear and peace, heartbreak and love, failure and success, tears and laughter, despair and purpose. My faith has been tested, my emotions stretched to the limit, and my strength tried. I have made countless mistakes, yet God has never failed to help me up again.
I think the biggest thing I’ve come to realize this year is my weakness and God’s greatness. I have found that I am capable of nothing on my own. Absolutely nothing. I am completely and totally dependant on God. If not for Him, I wouldn’t exist. It’s been a humbling yet awesome truth to accept.
God has revealed Himself in such an amazing way this past year. I’ve found myself drawn to Him, wanting Him. And it’s exciting. After having seen so many people have a deep, real, meaningful relationship with Christ, it’s happening to me. My faith has become my own, and I’m learning to love my Savior. I want more than anything to do what He wants, and to live a life that glorifies and pleases Him.
And it will be hard. We live in a world that despises God and His commandments. A world that embraces sin and punishes righteousness. A world that rejects the sanctity of human life. A world full of hate, spite, greed, lust, death, and sin. Deep, dark sin, rooted within the heart of man.
This world of darkness despises the Light. But we can’t let us stop us. Christ commands us to be lights in the world, and we need to embrace that commission. Despite the risk, despite the danger, despite all the hardships it may bring upon us. God has made us for a reason, and if we don’t live for that, our lives are wasted.
Evil is steadily increasing, and soon enough the world will collapse. Time is ticking… what will you do? What will you do to further the Kingdom of God?
God has been good enough to give us another year. Another year to fix mistakes, do all those things we put off, to make a difference for Him. But none of us are guaranteed that we will live through the next year. We may only have eight months… three months… two weeks… one night. None of us know. It could be years, it could be hours. Let’s make the most of what time we do have.
As we enter into this new year, I challenge you to be a bold, fearless warrior for Christ. Denounce fear and defy impossibilities, and give all that you have to your Savior. Hold nothing back.
We only have one life to live. Why don’t we live it well.
:) You are lucky Riah, I'm still in the seeing beautiful relationships with God stage. I am happy and jealous for you.
ReplyDeleteDear Mariah,
ReplyDeleteDo you know how rare it is at your tender age to have come to this place? God has surely placed His hand upon your heart and life. I am thrilled that you have come to the awareness of your need for absolute dependance upon God for everything. Shine brightly, we all need God's light now more than ever!
I love and cherish you!