Cliched Post(End of 2012, Welcome 2013)

The year 2012 was a big year for me. It began with a "simple" trip to Ethiopia, Africa, that turned out to be far from simple. It changed my life. It changed my perspective on living, on money, on possessions, and on God and Church and my relationship to God. It's influenced my college plans, and even my life plans.

I've learned to be patient this year.
I've learned faith.
I've learned the deep, unending love of God.
I've learned the key to victory.
I've learned that it's OK not to have my future all laid out in front of me.
I've learned that a clean slate doesn't have to start with a new year, month, or even week. God's loving kindness is new every morning.
I've learned that it's the little things that leave some of the biggest imprints on my memories and nostalgia.
I've learned God to be true, faithful, and amazing.
I've learned that it's not all about service, but about being with Jesus, abiding in Him and His love.
I've learned (at the same time) missions trips are a tremendous thing to think about. It changes you.


Jehovah is truly phenomenal. He provides for my needs, He provides for my wants. He gives me every single thing--little or big--that I need to be the Christian He wants and expects me to be. He gives me ways to escape temptations. He gives me avenues to use the gifts He's given me. He never gives up on me. He never stops loving me. He never leaves me.

It's amazing to think that in a span of 12 months that God can reveal Himself so much. It's amazing to think that I had no idea what kind of impact simply following where Christ lead would leave on my soul.



So, with this year coming to and end, I think it is fit:

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. -- Phil 3:13-15

Good things happened in 2012; bad things happened in 2013. But nothing can be changed by focusing on what was done in the past. I need to strain forward to what lies ahead. New things are before me--greater things are still to be done in my life by God. Deeper aspects of God will be revealed to me this year.

May 2013 carry with it the grace of God, remembrance of redemption, and power of the Gospel.

Hope was Born.

Darkness encroached on all people. A darkness darker than a moonless night. A darkness darker than pure ebony. It slithered out in thick wisps, choking out every ray of light. All creation drew rapid, shallow breaths as the darkness created in their presence a voiding pain. Without words or speech, the darkness offered the very thing it snatched from its victims: hope. Darkness had now reached every man, woman, and even small child. No one was untainted with the smothering grasp of it.
Songs faded. Happiness--true happiness--became a fabled idea of ancient times. Hope died with each birth. The rocks shuddered in sorrow from the theft of life upon their rugged bodies. Stars shone in vain attempt to direct avenues to hope. The sun refused to shine light of exhilaration--only a blanketing swelter.
Centuries this darkness thickened. Rarely did light burst through--but always did darkness fight back. The hosts of light followed the lead of the Source, sprouting rays of hope, despite the parrying attacks of darkness. The Source always tried new ways to  dissipate the darkness, but darkness never gave up. Ambition to cloak the world in its presence drove it to push back the Source at every move. Kings fell; nations crumbled; people failed. Death conquered; fear reigned; hate prospered.

Until.

Nature hushed their noise. Wind stopped her scurrying. Earth stood still.
The stars pulsated with direction of hope. One star expelled exceptionally radiant rays of hope, drowning out all other lights--even the moon paled in comparison.
The hosts of the angels of light were aghast, confused, unsure.
The Source drew a breath of human life.
Silently, Wind brushed over his soft face, assuring her wonder.
Nature uttered soft voices in form of cattle and sheep, uncertain how to respond.
The exuberant star thrummed her directive rays of hope.

The hosts of the angels broke the nervous silence. They shone their light, bursting forth through the darkness. Songs bubbled out of their hearts. Hope danced all around them. Happiness swayed with the livening breeze of Wind. "Glory to God in the highest! And peace, good will toward men!"

The carpenter holding this new human life knew little of all that was going on. The virgin gazing in her Son's eyes knew little of the hope that sparkled in them. They couldn't see yet the radiance throbbing in their Son. But Darkness felt the pangs with each pulsation of light. Heaven felt the hope with each heartbeat of the child. God's heart leaped inside Him; hope welling inside Him. Hope for redemption of Man. Hope for reconciliation. Hope for reciprocated love. Hope for hope.

A soft cry came from the child. Not of fear of new surroundings. Not of fear of those holding him. But of victory. Of triumph. It was soft to the ears of his earthly parents, but it was a roaring thunder to the ears of darkness--a battle cry to the heavenly hosts. Hope breathed life's first breath. Christ was born, radiating the light of pure happiness and hope.