Dear 2021,
5 Lessons I Learned in 2021
Phew! It's 2022 in a few hours. What a jolly, not so jolly ride 2021 has been. But when you think about it, what really is life without the ups and downs?*probably really boring I’d say… Anyway, I’d save you the trouble of reading my really long epistle of how the year went down for me and just to share a few lessons I learned this year.
1. The proof of God's love is not the blessings or breakthroughs or healings or even miracles we receive from Him. The proof of His immutable love is Jesus. Don't buy the lie of the enemy that God has abandoned you in a certain strained season, rather look up to the cross and recognize your blessings, that with Jesus, you have all that you need.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life {John 3'16}
2. You're not doing the kingdom any favors by dimming your light. We are in a time where the enemy is working twice as hard to cover the heart of men with as much darkness as he can, whichever means possible. God needs and is counting on you to take territories for Him using your giftings, talents, provisions, and all that He has put in you. Let your light shine and let the name of God be glorified.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven {Mattew 5'13–16}
3. You can love people without giving them intimate access to you. Love really is a must; it is who we are and what we are called to live by, but friendship with any and everyone? Not at all and really, that's okay.
Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers {Galatians 6'10}
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2. but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night {Psalm1'1–3}
4. Emotions are not reliable guides, that’s who the Holy Spirit is. I know that by God’s design, we all are emotional beings, even Christ Himself felt it all; empathy, anger, exhaustion, compassion, grief, joy, frustration… But our emotions should really be the last place to run our actions by especially unhealthy thoughts and feelings. Always remember feelings aren't facts, recognize that, that moment in time is not who you are. Feelings come and they'll leave.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come {John 16'13}
5. Be open to new territories and opportunities, nurture relationships and connections but never forget to let God lead; every decision, every plan, every path even to the tiniest detail. Let Him in and let Him lead.
In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps {Proverbs 16'9}
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6. in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight {Proverbs 3'5–6}
Aha! and the icing on the cake? God has every plan of the plan figured out perfectly. You really can trust Him!
And of course, cheers to an amazing 2022!
With love,
Mae
