I am actually looking forward to the new year. I'm starting a new Bible reading plan that will hopefully keep me on track with reading and staying plugged in to God's Word. I need that. This past year has been a good and fulfilling year, but not without it's hard times. Thankfully God has used the tough times to bring me closer to Him, and the significant steps of maturity in faith that God has allowed me to take has far outweighed the sorrow.
One of the biggest things that Jesus has shown me is patience in love. John M. Perkins has said, "Love is the final fight." and I believe it. To love my enemies is a fight. To love those that annoy me, that don't fit in, that don't like me, that lie about me, and that frustrate me is a fight. I don't want to love those kind of people, and it's a constant battle to do so. That is a wonderful and hard earned truth. Though it's not an easy fight it is satisfying, because we are fighting for something pure. Tolerance just allows evil to do its deeds, and you can't use evil to conquer evil. That doesn't even make sense. Love indeed is the final fight, for if we fight for love then evil has been defeated.
Love in the midst of evil is the only thing that will make a difference. Active love.
I pray that everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve, and that we will continue to press the fight for the love of Jesus into 2010 and though eternity.
Love God. Love others.
Clint
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"Love God. Love others." Jesus (Matthew 22:34-40)
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2 comments:
I believe there are always ups and downs in the Christian faith. But the more we mature in our relationship with God the more ups we will have and the peace that only He can offer. On the days when I am at peace with myself and God it seems like I get a small glimpse into heaven. It is amazing for sure.
It's like the old song by Steven Curtis Chapman, "Up on the Mountain" when you are with Jesus Christ you feel as though you are on a mountain but then we have to go down into the valley where temptation is strong, that's where we have to truly depend on God.
Amen! And as we depend on God more and more we find that He is the only One that can truly bring us through the valley.
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