“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!”
- Psalm 103:1 ESV
Last year was a particularly difficult one for me. I felt alone, isolated, depressed, and tired.
I knew that things needed to change, that I needed to change, and that my life needed to change. Carrying on in the manner that I had was hopeless, dull, and utterly hollow. Forward progress was something that had fully died within me.
In all my shallow strivings, my search for peace, I had strayed away from something that had anchored me through all hardships, rather than seeking out the depths of its knowledge. My faith, in God alone, had become faith in philosophy, in preparedness, and in myself.
My strength is very small.
Very, very small.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
- Romans 12:2 ESV
I was fully conformed to the world, for a time. The news was my Idol, I worshipped at the altar of politics. I abandoned the gathering of the brethren, those who would have encouraged me in my time of struggle. It’s little wonder that my accomplishments were so small.
As with every year, I resolve to do better. What use is preparedness, and equipment, and stored food and money, if it does not bless people, and glorify God? If there is no love, and no joy in my life, for me to pour into others? If I cannot offer peace to those around me, and kindness?
To this, I put forth my goals for the year:
- To pray to God first for the courage to do good to the people of my community, and for the means to do it.
Philippians 2:3-4 - To pray for my nation, my state, and my community, for its good, it’s wisdom, and its closeness with God. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
- To continue to improve myself, and to prepare to help others in need, in service of God. – Proverbs 16:3
- To write more often, to encourage the people around me that no matter how dark the world gets, there is still good work to be done. – Hebrews 10:24-25
As always, I pray that you, the reader of this is blessed with peace and joy.
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