12 Things I Learned in 2012
Ever wondered why God ‘rested’ after 6 days of creating?
Was He tired? Did He need a smoke break?
I think God rested on the 7th day to press meaning into what He had done. He rested and reflected. A few verses after this first week of recorded history, Eve shows up because “no suitable helper was found” for Adam. God figured this out by reflecting on what he’d created up to that point. By looking back.
This time each year, I reflect. I try to press meaning into what I’ve done and what’s happened around me. I review my journal entries, the ‘net-outs’ of books I’ve read, sermon notes . . . everything I’ve captured. The goal? To distill my learning so I can use it and not forget.
Here’s my summary, (not in order of importance) . . .
1. There is a deep mystery in marriage around the idea of ‘two’ becoming ‘one.’ My wife thinks of us as one. She owns what I own. My accomplishments are her accomplishments. When she’s protecting me, she’s protecting herself. I need to stay aware of this dynamic . . . it’s important. Easy to ignore, even resent.
2. There’s a stage in life when one thing emerges. Call it purpose, calling, destiny, or your ‘art.’ It’s what you were made for. What God uses for His purpose and our fulfillment. It’s why I’m here.
3. Contentment comes from stepping into Psalm 16 . . . “You have assigned me my portion and my cup. You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord who counsels me. I will keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
4. Organized Christianity plays ‘zone.’ Jesus-followers are disciple-makers. They play ‘man to man.’
5. I used to think we’re to manage the process and trust God for outcomes. I’m learning God wants to be involved in the process too, shaping my thinking, urging me on, stopping me before I make big mistakes.
6. Not only do we wear ‘masks’ (e.g., play roles to keep up appearances), we paint ‘masks’ onto others, stereotyping and prejudging without really getting to know them.
7. It is far more important to ‘feel’ a person than to ‘fix’ them. Only God can ‘fix’ someone.
8. Driven (by ambition) or called (to obedience) is a task-by-task question.
9. Disciple-making is about leading others to find and act on their calling, not just living out my own.
10. A ‘besetting sin’ can own a person. Just calling that sin by name can help bring it into the light of truth and expunge it.
11. If you want your faith to mean something, ‘pick a fight’ on behalf of God. You’ll come alive and find your purpose for being here.
12. “God is good and that’s all I need to know.”
Happy New Year!
You can also read the things Regi learned last year.
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Responses (2)
Regi,
I first was led to your blog this morning by a man and friend that I just recently met. He sent me the link for a post that you wrote back in July about having one year to live. I thought it went well with your post about what you learned in 2012 becuase I certainly want to live 2013 with the urgency that I know I would have if I truly only had a year left to live. In regards to 2012, it was without a doubt the most important year of my life but also the most difficult. I am praying that 2013 will be a year of new beginnings, of starting down a different path towards and with Christ, and with a discpline and urgency that I haven’t had. Thank you for your thoughts. I look forward to being encouraged and strengthened throughout the year.
Thanks Jon. Welcome to the conversation!