And so we are in the new year, whether we are willing or not. And it is my fashion to take stock of the year past so I may give thanks and be amazed at the ways I have been blessed and I have grown.
This year turned out so much better than I expected; it seems to have been a rich year of the Lord's favour upon me. It was a time of growing in Christian manhood, on a diet of the Word.
I became a Regular Officer, jumped by parachute from a plane, went to Europe (Italy), became a student again, met a very special and important girl, and got baptized.
Phase 1: Assuming command as OC, IPPT Gold, Airborne Course, SAF Paracounselor Course, seeing justice meted out on an underperforming and irresponsible superior.
I was in my element as an Officer and leader, leading and teaching and moving men.
It was a surprise to receive the opportunity to attend the coveted BAC and also good to have attended the Paracounselor course.
The last one was to see the last of an individual who was a terrible administrator, officer, leader and soldier all in one flesh. That I had a small part to play in effecting justice. Ah, it was sweet to pave the way for the true facts to come out. I am still struggling to overcome my severe dislike for him.
Phase 2: Coming out of command into a Staff role, preparing for (and going to) Italy with Hakim and growing in faith and obedience.
Phase 3: Coming to University and meeting with good friends, Christian brothers and my girlfriend.
God is faithful, and when I begun to seek His way to live, He assisted me. He provided me with good environment to study the Word and pray in private, brothers and sisters to encourage me and move to Him jointly in worship; He also added to me wisdom and understanding.
I was barely conscious that I was worked on early in the year. It was when I held to the Word again as my first food that I grew stronger and surer in faith. I matured more, though not completely. I grew more sensible of my thirst and I looked for the Living Water. Time spent in Him and with Him brought change and growth.
I am so glad that with her, the timing was good and natural, and we were safe-kept in body and in purity for one another. How heartbreaking would it have been if any exclusive affection for each other had been given first to someone else before.
It was very good that I did not court her for her physical beauty, but that I had first noticed her faith and her loveliness in nature. That there were fruits of good character that I saw above outward qualities. So our relationship may begin on less fickle things like our faith which is to be life-long and sure, instead of tastes and personality.
Now we look to love each other beyond the flesh. We guard and protect each other in thought, speech and action. We show affection, we think for the other. We are mindful that our love for Christ must be higher and first. If we both submit to God, we would not believe we are always correct and faultless. We would not fan jealousy, but instead when the other is worried, we reassure each other with more love and affection. This is sweet and safe.
Lessons Remembered and Sealed in Memory:
God puts His Christians in fire to refine them - Daniel 3
Shadrach, Meshach and Abdenego were thrown in the furnace, and they uncommonly trusted God beyond their lives. They were not consumed, but their faith and their God was proven to be true.
Am I ready to be put into the furnace? When He judges I am, He will. He has the good outcome in mind. While the furnace is exceedingly hot, He may keep me from being burnt up.
Christians have no power. Our faith has no power. The Word seems to be ineffective. I see more clearly that we have no power because we let the Word lie, and we do not fast or pray. We do not know God well because we do not spend much time in His Presence. If this is so, can we bear to spend forever with Him? He occupies all of heaven!
I may spend a lot of time thinking of and thinking about Him, but if I do not pray and go to Him, I will not know Him. He is the Person whom I am to love.
I am to be a faithful man, that's all. Not intelligent, not rich, not physically strong. I am to be faithful to my God and to my wife when I do have one.
The Holy Spirit is holy. His work is to make holy. If whatever takes place has no resultant holiness or a reverence for Christ, can we be sure it is the Holy Spirit of God?
We are to grow more obedient, more submissive, and not rebellious. With our parents and with God.
Proverbs 19: 21 - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
We must not contest God's plans with our own, but instead take on His plan.
Things I have done poorly, and I need to improve-
1. I have loved my friends and my family poorly. I did not do well with my family. I lived apart from them, and did not mind them much.
2. I am not a hard worker. A man must work, and work hard.
3. I am not a spiritual man, I am one who lives in the body. I wish to roam free outside God's law and Word, but still be credited as righteous and seen as impressive.
Romans 12: 10 - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves.
With this last sentence, I see that I have consistently sought to do the reverse.
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I have accumulated many good days, good meals, good friends and good times. God is exceedingly kind and He continues to be. I have prayed and I am hopeful that 2012 will continue to be a year of His good favour with me.
Yet if I become poor or sick or hungry, may I turn and say that He is not kind or good? In 2012, how to walk if not crawl, is to have the Word as our constant companion.
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