Wednesday, January 4, 2023

A few weeks ago, Sarah Bucher introduced us to Jon Acuff’s book Soundtracks, which is about the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. She said that 80% of what we think is negative! Can you imagine? This really piqued my interest, because for me, I think it’s true.

Looking back over the last year, I admit I have regrets. I won’t go on about how I should have exercised more, spent more time reading my Bible, or spoken up about how I was feeling. It does no good to “should” ourselves. Christ has given us freedom from physical, spiritual, emotional, and other regrets. We are no longer bound up by these.

James 5:16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

I was blessed with an accountability partner eight years ago. We get together a few times each month to check where we are on our spiritual journey.

We share our trials and triumphs and pray for each other and others. It’s a 10 out of 10 stars, highly recommended experience! In sharing my burdens and praying through them with another, I saw the potential lies I was basing my narrative on falsely. (Things are often not as negative as we initially believe!)

This year was a life transition for me. I went from a job of 30 years to retirement. Changes going on around me led me to believe I was not a valued employee and was being pushed out of my position before my retirement date. No matter how much I wanted a strong finish, I felt I wasn’t going to make it. I held tight to Paul’s advice.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

The truth? The changes happening had more to do with preparations for a smooth transition than me as a person. My value is not rooted in who I am as an employee but in who I am as a child of God. I am HIS, and he knows and values the impact my time at work has had. God is good! He values me so much that he sent his only son to earth to experience life and to die in my place to cover my sins.

The same is true for you!

Questions:
Is there someone you can share your spiritual journey with?

Do you have regrets about the past year?

How will you adjust in the new year to create a strong finish?

Next Steps:
Find a spiritual accountability partner and make a commitment to meet regularly to share each other's faith journey.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the gift of meeting with other believers in worship, prayer, and life. Help us to encourage each other as we journey along. Place in our paths those who do not yet know you and give us courage to share the Good News so that all people will come to know the blessings you bring. Let everything we say and do point to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This post was written by Julie Estep, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut, who is grateful for the opportunity to reflect, write, and share what God is doing in her life. She’s glad you came today!