Here we are a couple of days into 2013 and most of us are already working toward
Lessons Learned In 2012
fulfilling our New Year’s resolutions. Hopefully you haven’t fallen off the wagon yet :)! It is my hope and prayer this New Year will be a blessing in your life and God will work in and through you to mold you into the image of Jesus Christ.
However, before we completely put last year behind us, I want to share with you a few lessons I learned over the course of what turned out to be one of the most exciting years I have ever had. Consider the following:
1) Being a father is one of the greatest blessings. I knew having a child would change my life, but I couldn’t have begun to imagine how great of a blessing this change would be. Each passing day my love for my wonderful baby boy continues to grow. Watching him grow and learn has forever changed my life. It has given me a little better understanding of the love God has for His children.
2) Not everyone will look at what you do as something to be appreciated, but our purpose is to please, honor and glorify God. It’s so easy to forget this when it comes to working in student ministry. Often you feel unappreciated. This year served as a great reminder that I minister not for the approval and praise of men, but for the glory and honor of God.
3) My love for God’s Word continues to grow. I can’t get enough of the Bible and I don’t just mean reading it. This year I have experienced a joy of teaching the Word unlike any other year I can remember. I want to teach all the time. I pray this desire will continue to grow and I will have many more opportunities to teach God’s Word this coming year.
4) Young people have tender hearts. This year I have been blessed to witness many young people either give their lives to Jesus for the first time or rededicate their lives to Him. Listening to them make confessions has given me a glimpse of their heart. Watching this take place never gets old. I pray 2013 will be an even bigger year for people, both young and old, confessing their sins and giving their lives to Jesus.
5) Learning to be content will help improve your attitude. It’s so easy to focus on all the things we don’t have compared to others. This year I have been reminded how blessed I am. I have a wife who loves me even though I mess up often, a son who when I see him smile brightens my entire day and a God who loves and accepts me even though I fail Him too often. With these three things in my life, what more do I need. I am blessed!
6) My wife is the greatest blessing to my ministry. I have often heard it said, “Behind every great preacher is a great woman.” Well, in my case this is not exactly true. Now before you flip out, let me finish. In my case, my wife is not behind me, she is right there BESIDE me. She is my sounding board, my editor, my encourager, my critic, my adviser and my biggest fan. Without her BY my side, my ministry wouldn’t be the same.
7) If there was a bus going to heaven today, I would board it. Daily I am reminded this world is not my home; this is not the place we belong. It is because of this realization, although I love life here on earth, if I had the choice of going home today, I would take it. Heaven is the place we all belong and should long to go!
2012, although now passed, was a year I will always remember. It was the year I learned some valuable lessons I hope will carry over into this New Year. May 2013 bring you and your family health, happiness, peace and a renewed relationship with your heavenly Father!
What are some valuable lessons you learned over the course of 2012? Comment below.