WHAT REALLY COUNTS?
Greetings Deer Flat Family and welcome to 2022!
The change of a calendar is always a catalyst for reconsidering areas of our life and taking stock in who we are or are not and what we do or don’t do. There are most assuredly areas of your life you feel inadequate or lacking and other areas you feel more confident in your current state.
Some areas of life may seem to count more than others. And some areas we may give more attention to than others because of urgency, or value, or simply preference. Maybe our finances or health are in urgent need of attention. Maybe our business or education is doing well, and we bask in the sunshine of our hard work paying off. These areas go through seasons of change waxing and waning like the phases of the moon.
One area I am choosing to challenge myself in this year (and so by default challenging you now ha-ha!) is the area of personal mission and personal missions.
What is your personal mission? And do you have any personal missions planned this year to further your personal mission? What is the overall goal of your life and what smaller goals this year do you have planned that if accomplished will set you up next year for even more progress and success?
These are important and personal questions whose answers are going to be as different as the lives who ask them. However, I believe there are a few themes that apply to all of us as children of God and should be woven through each of our goals:
- We are called “ambassadors of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20) with the purpose of helping people be reconciled to God. So, who are a few names you can be praying for in 2022 and what are some practical, loving actions you can do to encourage those names to take steps towards faith and towards home with their Heavenly Father?
- We are commanded to “abide in Christ” (John 15) with the promise that we cannot do anything truly effective apart from Jesus. We can’t offer real hope, peace, forgiveness, and life if we aren’t connected to the Source. You can’t give what you don’t have. So, where do you need to tend to yourself and your spiritual needs before ministering to those around you?
- What really counts is “faith expressing itself in love” (Galatians 5:6) so be sure this is a core part of your personal mission. I hope that your faith inspires creative ways to love people in practical ways. Our God demonstrated His love for you in a passionate and sacrificial act because He had faith in you, in us. Faith that we, made in His likeness, could love in His likeness too. Take a moment to dream up some fun, unique ways to love your “neighbors” or the names on your list from theme #1.
Whatever your goals for 2022, know that you are called, commanded, and count. See you Sunday!
– Pastor Martin Flaherty