Today, I finished the Gospel Study - reading the gospels 3x each throughout the year, answering the question "What is one thing I have learned about Jesus? And how does it apply to me in my pursuit of becoming more like Him?" What an absolute gift it was! To focus on Jesus and the life He lived.
As we finished today, we ended with John 21 and wow, what a powerful ending...
Jesus met His disciples back where He had originally called them - out in the boat, having no luck catching anything. Being all too familiar, when they took the stranger's advice and caught a huge load of fish, they knew it was Jesus. May I have the recognition of Jesus when He repeats miracles in my life. As John quickly stated to Peter, "It is the Lord!"
Jesus cooked the disciples breakfast, sharing a meal together, spending time with one another. May I be willing to accept Jesus's invitation to spend time with Him and enjoy His company.
Jesus met with Peter around a charcoal fire (the same setting that Peter had denied Jesus just days ago), asking Peter 3 times if He loved Him, giving Peter an opportunity to restore each time he had denied Jesus. Jesus didn't do this because He needed to hear Peter say he loved him, but so that Peter could be healed. Jesus knows Peter loves Him, but also tells him each time, "Feed my sheep" and then "Follow me," reminding him that our love for Jesus should overflow into all areas of our life - it's not enough to simply just say you love Him. May I embrace the fullness of forgiveness and grace that Jesus offers us each and every day.
Jesus called out the disciples comparing one another, saying, "What is that to you? You follow me!" May I focus on my own relationship with Jesus rather than compare to others.
**All of this was just one days of reading! Imagine what all was learned throughout a full year!!**
And then, the very last line of John....
"Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."
For the past 365 days, I have read about Jesus, learning about the life He lived, who He spent His time with, His teachings, His healings, His miracles and everything in between. Yet, that was only a TINY glimpse of His life. In my human attempt of trying to become more like Him, I am humbled that He is far better and greater and loving and willing and powerful than I can even imagine.
Was it naive of me to set out on attempting to become more like Jesus in 2023?
I don't think so! Because even if I could improve on just one of Jesus's many amazing qualities, I would be a better person...
His willingness
His gentleness
His kindness
His loyalty to His Father
His trust
His relationships
His knowledge of Scripture
His humility
His love
The list goes on and on, as John said, the world couldn't even hold all of the books about Jesus!!
In reality, it might have been an unachievable goal to become like Jesus, but may it be a lifelong attempt... just one day at a time, continuing to focus on Him, learn more about Him, and implement into my every day life.
2023 was a great year!! **WARNING: the following may seem like a highlight reel... and yes, maybe it is. But it is only created to simply give thanks to God for His good and faithful provision in this year!!!**
Becoming a youth leader at church!
Rejoicing in 9 years with Jesus and enjoying my 9th ski trip!
Celebrating Nana's life and the whole family gathering together!
Committing to another year of Ozark! "At the end of the day, I would rather continue to grow/lead/serve in a company that I am on board of the mission and have great leadership rather than face something random."
Throwing a 26th birthday party! - "the enemy is quick to make me believe the lie that I am lonely - yet I looked around on Saturday and I KNOW that I am not alone - my friends and family are willing to show up to my 26th birthday party..."
Going to Disney world not once, but TWICE!!! Experiencing true child-like joy!
Witnessing a group of 30 internationals become family!
Attending weddings of people I adore!
Celebrating babies coming into this world!
Receiving hospitality in Mexico, surrounded by 54 of our friends at dinner!
Watching Blake and Teagan develop fun, beautiful personalities!
From babies to weddings to deaths, all glory to the God who is in control of it all! How lucky are we to be a part of His bigger picture story. May we never become immune to the beauty of the works He performs every day.
As our generation of social media works, I don't have pictures of the days I felt down or of the tears that were shed or of the fear and worry that made my mind race. And just like for everyone (I assume), these moments did occur in 2023. Yet in the midst of them, Jesus remained my one constant, my closest friend. And that is what I am most thankful in this year - more than the vacations and celebrations, Jesus was the best part of 2023!
And I have no doubt that will be the same for 2024!!!
Top 3 ~cling to quotes~ of 2023:
"Who before do. Why before what." - Craig Groeschel
"God can answer your prayers in a moment. But what God really needs are vessels He can keep pouring into... He knows what patience does, and in His goodness, He will allow you to strengthen a muscle that will carry you much further than this single destination." - oops, I can't remember what book
"Spend one hour a day in adoration of your Lord and never do anything you know is wrong, and you will be alright" - Mother Teresa
Top 5 songs of 2023 (according to Spotify Wrapped):
If I Could Have Anything - Housefires
Your Promises are True - Brice Davis
Never Lose My Fire - MBL Worship
If you Say Go - Vineyard Worship
Agenda - Benjamin William Hastings
And of course, a great SHOUT OF GRATITUDE GOES OUT TO MY UNPLUGGERS!!!!
2023 was the first full year of the Unpluggers Blog and I am thankful for friends who care!
More than that, friends that I am able to be vulnerable with and share my thoughts, things I am learning, my doubts, my fears, and my worries. As I went to reflect on this year, I realized that most of my content is in my blog posts throughout the year, rather than my personal journals. So what a special thing that I have friends I trust to welcome inside my heart and mind!
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