Twenty-Twelve.
It seems like I've never been this ready to write my year-end journal for 2012. I'm even more than excited to begin, even when I don't know where to do so.
Well, first of all, 2012 not only met, but even exceeded my expectations of it. It was historical, it was great, it was revolutionary, it was life-changing. Truly 2012 was a holistic example of "greater things to come", just as its forecast last December 2011.
If 2011 was a tapestry of God's hand in me, 2012 is more like a domino effect of God's plan for me. Even until this moment, as I type these, I am still amazed at how God skillfully and magnificently paved the road of my life, so that when time comes when I'm about to walk in it, everything will fall into its right place, right before my two eyes. Yes. That's exactly what God did, and I truly thank Him for making all of it possible. Truly He is the best Author and Writer with a unique creativity no man can ever copy. His ways are original. His ways are "one-of-a-kind". His ways are beyond expectations, and His ways are miraculous. I do thank Him for revealing Himself, His plan and purpose for my life in such a way I'll never forget, that is, by how He was able to transfer me from one school to another, to experience a different, tougher facet of "college life". It is also through the trials and challenges on the process of choosing the right majorship that strengthened my faith, trusting Him that "His will is the 'BEST' definition of 'THE BEST'". Therefore, I'm really grateful. My eyes were opened to greater things He is about to reveal even as I've been drawn nearer and closer to Him. It was like He took me out of the box as I took Him out of the box too. I realized that if I won't confine the ways He can work in four corners, as a result, He won't confine the works He'll do in my life in four corners too. I believe, God is truly glorified when our faith has been stretched beyond the walls of our inabilities and frailties. So yes, never limit the all-knowing, all-powerful, all-mighty God. :)
God kept the ball rolling this 2012. That ball He's holding is my whole world--my whole world in His hands. From a day to another, a month to another, a season to another, I saw many answered prayers. I also saw many people coming in, some only for a season, and then God took them away from me, or took me away from them only to tell me that with or without them, life must continue moving forward, for life is not about them, but about Him-the Author and Finisher of my faith. Some of them, God never made our roads cross again, but to some, God made them come back, telling me that even real friends are gifts from God and true friends don't burn bridges no matter what. Some people came, and stayed all throughout the four seasons. This has made me realize 3 things about people in life:
2012 has totally changed my outlook in life, from the inside out. Well, that's how God changes those who are by His grace, submissive and willing to be changed according to His will. That's what happened when I've stopped arguing with Him, though that was really a big struggle. Nevertheless, I thank Him for His ever-sufficient grace. Isn't this what I've said last 2011? "Let's stop arguing with God this 2012." Oh, it's just amazing to recall how that statement became reality. I should not argue anymore when after all He is supposed to be the Master. I believe that should be enough for me to let Him take care of my cares, to take charge of the affairs of my life. I also believe that there's nothing better for me to do but to submit, to yield, to conform myself to whosoever He wants me to be, whatsoever He wants me to do, and to wherever He wants me to go. Again, it's the hardest thing to do in life, but I always remind myself with this quote from this year's camp,
"The Christian life is only hard when it's done OUR way." The same quote that struck me 8 months ago still strikes me today. :>
That was just a gist of 2012. That was just a summary of a great, historical, revolutionary year that changed everyone's lives. And as I, as we look forward to 2013, let us still believe, and let us always believe that He who brought us here could even bring us farther than we've ever imagined. Let us believe that He is the God who makes "our impossibilities His opportunities to tell us that 'Be still, and know that I am God', to show us 'great and mighty things which we know not', and to make us fervently trust Him, wait on Him, and delight in Him". Therefore let us always believe in this that in and within us, making 2013 a better year than the best year is impossible, but with God, YES! It's POSSIBLE.
Well, first of all, 2012 not only met, but even exceeded my expectations of it. It was historical, it was great, it was revolutionary, it was life-changing. Truly 2012 was a holistic example of "greater things to come", just as its forecast last December 2011.
If 2011 was a tapestry of God's hand in me, 2012 is more like a domino effect of God's plan for me. Even until this moment, as I type these, I am still amazed at how God skillfully and magnificently paved the road of my life, so that when time comes when I'm about to walk in it, everything will fall into its right place, right before my two eyes. Yes. That's exactly what God did, and I truly thank Him for making all of it possible. Truly He is the best Author and Writer with a unique creativity no man can ever copy. His ways are original. His ways are "one-of-a-kind". His ways are beyond expectations, and His ways are miraculous. I do thank Him for revealing Himself, His plan and purpose for my life in such a way I'll never forget, that is, by how He was able to transfer me from one school to another, to experience a different, tougher facet of "college life". It is also through the trials and challenges on the process of choosing the right majorship that strengthened my faith, trusting Him that "His will is the 'BEST' definition of 'THE BEST'". Therefore, I'm really grateful. My eyes were opened to greater things He is about to reveal even as I've been drawn nearer and closer to Him. It was like He took me out of the box as I took Him out of the box too. I realized that if I won't confine the ways He can work in four corners, as a result, He won't confine the works He'll do in my life in four corners too. I believe, God is truly glorified when our faith has been stretched beyond the walls of our inabilities and frailties. So yes, never limit the all-knowing, all-powerful, all-mighty God. :)
God kept the ball rolling this 2012. That ball He's holding is my whole world--my whole world in His hands. From a day to another, a month to another, a season to another, I saw many answered prayers. I also saw many people coming in, some only for a season, and then God took them away from me, or took me away from them only to tell me that with or without them, life must continue moving forward, for life is not about them, but about Him-the Author and Finisher of my faith. Some of them, God never made our roads cross again, but to some, God made them come back, telling me that even real friends are gifts from God and true friends don't burn bridges no matter what. Some people came, and stayed all throughout the four seasons. This has made me realize 3 things about people in life:
- Some people are meant to be in your life for only a season because after all God's will for you is just to be mere acquaintances with them.
- Some people will come to your life for a while, and then leave you for a while, as God is teaching you that God must still be the focus, the first, the center of life. Once accepted, once learned, once applied, God will bring them back to you and you'll discover that true friends also come from God. So take good care of them, for God can withhold them from you too.
- Some people are meant to stay in your life in every season. These are people whom God will use to encourage and comfort you in times where other people has changed and eventually has left your life.
2012 has totally changed my outlook in life, from the inside out. Well, that's how God changes those who are by His grace, submissive and willing to be changed according to His will. That's what happened when I've stopped arguing with Him, though that was really a big struggle. Nevertheless, I thank Him for His ever-sufficient grace. Isn't this what I've said last 2011? "Let's stop arguing with God this 2012." Oh, it's just amazing to recall how that statement became reality. I should not argue anymore when after all He is supposed to be the Master. I believe that should be enough for me to let Him take care of my cares, to take charge of the affairs of my life. I also believe that there's nothing better for me to do but to submit, to yield, to conform myself to whosoever He wants me to be, whatsoever He wants me to do, and to wherever He wants me to go. Again, it's the hardest thing to do in life, but I always remind myself with this quote from this year's camp,
"The Christian life is only hard when it's done OUR way." The same quote that struck me 8 months ago still strikes me today. :>
That was just a gist of 2012. That was just a summary of a great, historical, revolutionary year that changed everyone's lives. And as I, as we look forward to 2013, let us still believe, and let us always believe that He who brought us here could even bring us farther than we've ever imagined. Let us believe that He is the God who makes "our impossibilities His opportunities to tell us that 'Be still, and know that I am God', to show us 'great and mighty things which we know not', and to make us fervently trust Him, wait on Him, and delight in Him". Therefore let us always believe in this that in and within us, making 2013 a better year than the best year is impossible, but with God, YES! It's POSSIBLE.
Once again, to God be the glory, great things He has done!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! THE BEST IS ABOUT TO COME!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! THE BEST IS ABOUT TO COME!
^_^
i am amazed with your talent in writing, abi. the depth you have in this piece convinces me that despite being young, your wisdom is already encompassing. thank you for sharing your blog. the power of God and the power of the written word always make a difference in one's life...
ReplyDeleteThank you mentor for such an encouraging complement! Hopefully I'd be able to improve my skills in writing (as well as the other 3 macroskills too) especially as I finally begin my sophomore year as an English major this June.
ReplyDeleteI believe everything I've written down here is just a sum of everything I've experienced in life, so I guess it all comes from living such a colorful and meaningful life so far.
Thank you for the visit! Hope you'd drop by again anytime I'd be posting 'bout something again. :)