2010 in Perspective

My, how our God works in amazing and wonderful ways...and in so little time. As I review this past year, I'm able to see just how far He has taken me on what is sure to be the journey of a lifetime. It's a bit strange, looking back, because throughout 2010 I referred to 2009 as the year that God changed my life. I still hold to that, yet it's hard not to see 2010 as another year in which God has performed more changes in me.

In 2010, I began as a newly-discipled follower of Christ who had recently come back from his first mission trip. After having been convicted of poor stewardship by the Holy Spirit, I began participating in a debt consolidation and reduction program. I've since paid down about $4000 of debt. I also began my first real Bible-learning class in January, studying Great Doctrines of the Bible under my then-new senior pastor and mentor. At the moment, I'm halfway through that class.

Toward the end of Spring, I was tapped to be a worship leader during Wednesday services. Before the summer was out, I was leading worship during every other Sunday evening. This past Sunday was the first time I led worship during the morning service. I also went from choir to quartet to soloist this year, if you can believe that.

I also spent much of July and August designing and coding our new church website. That was an adventure, one that I've since had to turn over to my wife due to lack of free time to keep working on it. The lack of free time resulted from my need to get more Biblical education. God sent another person into my life to show me how to get started on that.

God has taught me trust and obedience. He has taught me that my job is not to produce results but to do my absolute best for Him. The results are His. I began Fall with two daunting tasks - completing three additional classes, and tackling a big project at work. All I could do was my best and remind myself that, win or lose, I will praise Him.

December was probably the most intense month of the year. I was busy rehearsing for the Christmas cantata, which went well. I was busy finishing up the project at work, of which my half is as done as it's going to be for now. I was busy writing papers and studying for finals as well. I'm pleased to report that as of now, I have received an A in two of three classes. There is nothing to report on the third class yet, as it ran a bit beyond the end of the semester.

The bottom line is...God did it. May He get the glory. He took a lazy, inept, good-for-nothing sinner like me, and worked through the life He gave me to show how great He is. All I did was worship, pray, seek Him through His Word, and give Him everything I have. My only personal goal for 2010 was to read through the entire Bible in a year, which I will be finishing up on New Year's Eve. May He get the glory for that as well.

He's now setting the stage for 2011 to be an even more interesting year. I've recently been elected to serve as a deacon, and my term starts in just a few days. There are more projects set to come my way next month. There are three more classes to take. Is it any wonder that my one personal goal for next year is to deepen and enhance my prayer life? Time to hit the books and hit my knees!

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." - Numbers 6:24-26