Welcome to 2024!!
I’ve never been much of a resolution maker. I tried and I only ever ended up in the category of people that either bailed on their goal or totally forgot what it was. When I began to grow more sincere about my faith, I decided that if I was going to strive for consistency about anything, it would be that. Pray more, read my bible more, study more, get closer to God, etc. Afterall, those were areas where I wanted to grow each day, not just at the start of the year.
One way that has become extremely instrumental in helping me keep a positive outlook is in nixing the idea of sizeable blessings. I know what you may think. A house is definitely a lot bigger than an unexpected free drink at Starbucks. And you’re right. But isn’t that free drink just as special as the house? As humans, we seem to be predisposed to comparing ourselves to others. It’s just our nature. But it doesn’t always have a positive impact on us. I can’t tell you how often over the years I would look at other people I know and where they are in life, only to find myself wondering what on earth was wrong with me. I’m praying and trusting God, but it just seemed like things were happening for everybody in the world except me!
That was a huge barrier that I experienced. Looking at everyone else was only keeping my attention away from God. It didn’t allow me the ability to acknowledge even my “small” blessings. There is a song by a Christian artist I enjoy listening to, Francesca Battistelli. Her song, “This is the Stuff” is my absolute favorite song. But in this song, she says “In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I’m blessed.” That’s a reminder that I carry with me. It doesn’t matter if my mountain’s height exceeds Everest, it can never outgrow the blessings that God has for me. I have to want them. I have to desire God-things in my life.
So that’s is what my 2024 will be. I desire more of God and the blessings that come from him. I’m grateful for 2023. It’s easy to look back on it and bemoan all my failures. All the things that I didn’t accomplish and all the dreams still unrealized. Instead, I choose to cling to the promises of God. My prayer, if you are reading this, is that God makes your 2024 extraordinary. He is a God of timing. Not every delay is a denial. But if you find yourself in a place of delay, ask God what it is you need to grab from that moment. What lesson do you need to learn that will instrumental to your future.
Have a blessed 2024 and let’s continue to shine together!
Stay Sunny!
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