So, here I go with my list of debilities from this past year. Here they are, my mistakes and my lessons, for all to see.
1. Change is very difficult on everyone involved. I thought I knew how to handle change. I have a lot to learn.
2. There is no such thing as neutrality. To say nothing is to say something. To do nothing is to do something.
3. What the scripture says about judgment is so very true. Judgment should be left to the Lord as much as possible. That does not mean decisions can not be made because decisions have to be made to move forward.
4. It is impossible to live life without making assumptions. Whenever possible conversations should be had in order to avoid as many assumptions as possible because we all will make too many assumptions in life.
5. The church is the bride of Christ, but it is also fallen and full of sinners. We should never assume (A reference to debility number four.) it will get everything right or handle every situation perfectly.
6. Grass is hardly ever greener on its own. It will take hard work and dedication to make grass green, especially grass that is on the other side.
7. As long as I live, I have learned that you never really overcome issues. You develop an ability to make different choices through discipline, faith and perseverance, but as soon as you let your guard down, those issues come right back even stronger.
8. This year I have learned that it is incredibly hard to stand alone. The Apostles were sent out in pairs because Jesus knew how hard it was to stand alone.
9. I have learned that if you think you are always right you are only thinking from your own perspective. There are absolute truths, and then, there are decisions, opinions and perspectives. These are relative to our own worldview and beliefs. When you live only considering your own views as right you will have little change and growth in your life, and both are necessary and vital in order to get along with your fellow man.
10. I have learned that disagreement is rooted in submission and not in compromise and untruth.
11. The older one gets the more one sees and experiences the fallen nature of the world.
12. I have learned that those who think government is the answer are those who do not understand the fallen nature of man, but they are also those who will only understand my perspective on the world through the divine presence of the Holy Spirit.
13. I have learned, the hard way, that the word "friend" must only be applied after time and test. Applying it too early results in heart ache and sadness.
14. This year, for the first time, I have yearned for heaven more than I have yearned for this world and my own comforts.
15. I have found that I already live with my greatest missionary opportunity, my own family, especially my children.
16. I have learned this year that it is never too late to say you are sorry. I do not understand why it is so hard to say you are sorry. I have found it to be invigorating and energizing. To forgive or to ask to be forgiven is the Christian life.
17. Communication is the key to perception. This was made clearly to me by a friend who informed me that my silence could be perceived as arrogance or indifference. I was taught as a child that if you have nothing good to say at the moment say nothing, but this year, I have learned that is incorrect ( A reference to debility number two.).
18. I have learned that you can say too much. Sometimes it better to say less than to say more, but one still must communicate.
19. There is great wisdom in collective agreement.
20. And finally and sadly, I have learned that my aging body can no longer lift the weight I used to lift, run the way I used to run or jump as high as I used to jump. I began working out hard six months ago and was impressed that I reached my targets in three months, but at that three month mark, I started developing little nagging injuries. A shoulder here, a forearm there, a hamstring, a knee... you get the picture. That new body I am seeking will come from Jesus and not from working out.
Well, there they are, my debilities from this past year. Happy New Year!
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2 comments:
Resolutions are overrated. I do not make them any more either. I have found that it only adds to my list of failures and I do not need any help in that regard. Reflecting on our debilities seems to be more productive, as most “resolutions” focus on shallow aspects such as materialism and physicality. I do think that, as Christians, we should dig deeper in search of those issues that truly affect our walk with Him and aim to make those weaknesses stronger.
I believe your list of debilities is applicable to most. However, most of us do not even acknowledge our real defects; much less focus any substantive efforts to resolve them. It is more evidence of man’s fallen nature. This state of disgrace is proof that less and less people know God; and indeed, do not hold your perspective on the world, because there is no guidance by the Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately, original sin and the depravity of humankind do not allow us to be infallible. We are imperfect…faulty…sinful.
We constantly make assumptions because of our meager communication skills. We are afraid to speak truth, because of the uncertainty we feel from others’ equally inadequate communication skills; or because of our ambivalence (which is the closest we will ever get to neutrality). Instead of having the hard conversations needed to alleviate the assumptions, we, all too often, cower away from them; say nothing; do nothing. We remain silent or stagnant and, albeit not purposely, create perceptions of arrogance or indifference. We convince ourselves that saying or doing nothing is best. On the flipside, we use our mouths as hydrants and spew words without thinking. We are know-it-alls, defiant by nature, and not comfortable with disagreements, because of our own insecurities. We hurt each other, do not apologize and thus, the vicious cycle of communicative incompetence. Maybe those of us who were raised to “not say anything at all if we do not have anything nice to say” developed a slight misconception of what that should mean as followers of Christ. Instead of not saying anything at all, we should speak the truth in Love, as Jesus would do. We should acknowledge absolute truths, recognize that our opinions and perspectives may or may not be the same as others’ and learn to truly live in Love, as Jesus did.
We have deep-seated issues that never go away. We are innately judgmental of everyone (including our own alter egos), whether we want to admit it or not. We must adapt to change (good or bad), because we are creatures of comfort. We do think the grass looks greener on the other side; especially when we have allowed our own grass to wither. We demand too much from our earthly bodies at times and they fail us. We think we can stand alone when God never intended us to. We are all flawed in countless ways.
I learned from a friend, not so long ago, that we must be faithful and obedient in the circumstances that God has called us to. We must make the very best of what He has provided and live in gratitude, no matter how damaged we are. When we focus our efforts on living for Him, we do not have to stand alone. Most importantly, God is there. And at times, He puts people (friends) in our paths to help us along our journey. He will also give us our only real comfort…a relationship with Him.
Well said. I would comment if I could add something, but I think your comments provide a fitting end to mine. Happy New Year!
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