As November draws to a close and the year that has tried us all in so many ways finally wanes to a close, I wonder what the calendar changing will actually bring for us. I have heard it said that insanity is continuing to do the same thing but expecting different results. If that is the case, will 2021 be the year of insanity for us?
As we toss out the 2020 calendar, let’s consider how we might make 2021 different.
This year has taught me that I greatly lack power, control and if I’m being honest, I lack plenty of godliness. My initial responses to the crisises of this year, both global and personal, have not been the fruit of the Spirit.
God’s Word makes an astounding promise to those of us in Christ. Peter writes to the persecuted church under crisis and all the unknowns ahead, “{God’s} divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge to him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”
By the divine power of God, you and I have all that we need to live godly lives. What?! Surely it took some divine power to give that to this wretch! How do I access this ability to live godly? Through the knowledge of Him. It’s through knowing Him that we get ALL that we need to live godly lives in this world.
What we DO NOT NEED to do to know Him better:
- go to seminary
- do intense word studies
- spend hours digging into the original translations of the Bible
What we DO NEED to do to know Him better:
According to Psalm 19, 119, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16 and others, to know God we need to read the Bible. Period.
God opened my own eyes to salvation through my simply reading the Bible. How much more can He grow us in our faith and reveal Himself to us if we will take 15 minutes per day to just read it?
A year long commitment might be tough, though. Hmm, what if we do it in community with accountability and a guided reading plan and even a pretty journal to keep notes on what He reveals about Himself? It becomes less of a “commitment” and more of a journey with like-minded friends!
Join me in Tending Together as we gather around the Word of God with others in a private online community.
hi mariel ~
it’s not too early to be evaluating this year … and anticipating what God might have for us in the months to come.
thanks for the nudge.