As we all come to the end of another calendar year, and I celebrate the anniversary of my birth, I was thinking about some of the lessons I’ve been learning (or relearning) in the past year. In no particular order:
- Just
because someone endeavors to take care of their body doesn’t mean they won’t face
physical challenges and decline over time. Exercise and diet are important for
stewarding our bodies, but life in a fallen world with broken bodies leads to
the need for doctors. But one day we’ll receive new bodies suited to life in the
perfect new creation.
- Even
though someone may be labeled as an extrovert doesn’t mean they are good at building
relationships. And even though I’m an introvert doesn’t mean I have an excuse
for avoiding people. All good relationships require time and effort, regardless
of whether we go to church together, work together, or live together. One day
we’ll live in the new kingdom in perfect harmony, but for now we all have to
deal with difficult or broken relationships. Sometimes we have to let go of our
expectations of other people.
- God
has created each of us as unique human individuals. As an old book by Barbara
Johnson noted, “Normal is just a setting on your dryer.” Some of the standards that
are thought to represent the “proper Christian life,” are actually just
cultural stereotypes that have no basis in Scripture. When we are prone to
judge others for their appearance, habits, or interests, we need to go first to
the Bible as our guide for right, wrong, or somewhere in between.
- Just
because someone goes to church sometimes and may profess faith in Christ doesn’t
mean they are living under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Some may go to church
every week for decades and yet choose to ignore most of the commands of
Scripture. Living in a “churchy” culture allows many to slip through with a
Christian façade. There is coming a day when all will be called to account.
- There are no “one and done” aspects to the Christian life. Faith, sanctification, endurance, repenting from sin, forgiving others, peace, joy, hope—all require turning to God every day. And we all need regular encouragement and exhortation to keep walking on the narrow way of salvation.
As we launch into a new year, let us “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).
© 2023 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
