With the new year comes a new inspiration to blog again. And of course a new blog banner :P
You know, I have been bloghopping again and I read many people evaluating their 2009.
My evaluation is simple. This year has been fantastic, despite the small bumps along the way.
I would not change a thing. I need to make mistakes to learn (sadly I don't learn my lessons from others because I can be really blind and deaf to advice sometimes). And most the lessons are really important.. There are a great many lessons that I have learned this year, easy or hard way.
Lesson 1: Being humble.
Its not important to be right or win all the time, unless it has got to do with God. Admitting I know nothing and submitting to the truth and reality has opened my eyes. I used to have a massive ego but I think I'm less of a pompous fart now..
Lesson 2: Evangelism.
Its the great commission, the responsibility of every Christian. The Gospel needs to reach every unknowing heart, every lost soul. God wants His people back! People are dying every day without the Saviour and my eyes have been opened to this.. Many people call themselves Christians and believe in Jesus, but its not enough to just believe in Him, we need to hold on to Him and trust in Him! And then there are the lost that don't know him at all..
Lesson 3: The Bible is food and the only Teacher.
Without it, I will die. Period!
Lesson 4: Sacrifice.
I get lazy a lot. No, wait. I am lazy. But I have learned the value of sacrificed time and effort this year. And its not enough to just appreciate it, its about time I did something about it on my own!
Lesson 5: Forgiveness.
I learned its value and it helped me understand the love that God has for us. It it wasn't for you, I would still think of love as some sort of cloud nine experience.
Lesson 6: Love.
I never knew love until last year, when I got to know him. The relief of being forgiven and the weight that is taken off one's chest when being forgiven is giant-normous. It feels unbelievably good. And that helped me understand how much God loves me. I have violated all His laws and I love what is wrong. I basically broke His heart, told Him to get lost (don't tell me what to do!) and spit on His face when He tells me He loves me.. Yet He forgives me and wants me and longs for me.. Have you felt that kind of love before? I know I have, and its not just from my parents.
Lesson 7: Grace.
I never really knew the meaning of this word until last year. Grace is to be given something freely, without deserving it. I know I have received soooo much grace this year. I know I am unworthy to receive it, but it has been given to me freely, just thrust onto my lap. For all those times I have fallen to temptation, God lifts me. For all those times I procrastinated from doing assignments, He provided for me (with excellent marks!). He gave me wonderful friends I have the greatest grace of knowing and gave me the company of someone who loves me to the core of my soul.
There are more than just these lessons for sure, but I get lazy really easily so I think I will just end it here before I get tired. Oh, and I think 7 is a pretty good number to end on since it symbolizes God's perfection!
These are the most important lessons I have learned this year. I need to act on these lessons that God has taught me and not be lax.
Lastly, I want to thank Jason who has loved me beyond my imagination, having never forsaken me and continually loving me despite all my flaws and mistakes. There are no words to describe how much I am thankful for your presence and love. You are a gift I do not deserve.
I want to thank Daphne for always relying on me and believing in me. I am sorry that I have never tried to make more time for you. And yet you continue to love me and call me your little adik even though I haven't really been present.. I will try to love you more and more and more, you can shove this post in my face when I'm not making time again!
I want to thank Nurul and Mirosha for being the bestest pals one can have in Chisholm! You girls sure are my little blessings too!
I want to thank Evelyn, Phyllis, Cameron, Helen, Simon, Lawrence, Lorelie, Andrew, Benny, Bruce, Felicia, Sara, Nick and everyone else at FOCUS and Bundy whom I love dearly but I have not mentioned.. Thank you for making me a part of the family and bringing me comfort, joy and peace during my difficult times..
BUT MOST OF ALL..
All the glory has to go to my Creator, The Lamb of God, my Reedeemer, Saviour, my rock, the Saviour and Lover of my soul.. Jesus Christ, the son of Man who died on the cross and rose again from the dead on the third day.
To YOU I owe everything I have yesterday, today and tomorrow. Without you, there would have been nothing of me and I would have died in my sins. Thank you O God, for coming down to this silly planet to die in my place so that I could be with YOU in Heaven.. Truly there is none like YOU!
My prayer this year is that I will have my fears swallowed when it comes to telling others about YOU, my GOD. I pray that YOU will put YOUR words in my mouth, though I may be a very shattered vessel. Lord, help me trust and believe in YOU, to grow in strength in YOU, that I may bring YOU the glory and honour that YOU deserve from YOUR creation. I also pray that Jason and his family may bring glory to YOU O GOD and that YOU will always have YOUR mighty hand on them, teaching and guiding them always. I also pray that YOU will use FOCUS this year to reach YOUR lost children.. May all the lost be found again! And on those days I will rejoice with the LORD for the found!
I pray for these things in YOUR precious Name, JESUS! Amen.
