IF 2024 TAUGHT ME ANYTHING – DYLAN JAHNIG
Scriptures:
John 14:26
Proverbs 4:23
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Proverbs 11:24-25
2 Timothy 1:14
Points:
1. Transitions Take Time & We Should Give Them Our Time
2. Marriage Matters Most
3. The World of the Generous Gets Larger & Larger
4. Guard Your Heart For It Is the Wellspring of Life
5. If You Do Not Locate Yourself, You Will Simply Remain Lost
As we reflect on the lessons of the past year, we’re reminded of the profound wisdom in John 14:26, where Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all things. This message invites us to pause and consider five key spiritual insights: First, transitions in life require patience and intentional engagement. Just as in athletics where ‘slow is smooth and smooth is fast,’ we’re encouraged to face forward while giving transitions the time they need. Second, we’re challenged to prioritize our marriages above all, recognizing them as the primary blessing in our families. Third, we’re reminded that generosity expands our world, even when it’s difficult. Fourth, we’re called to guard our hearts vigilantly, as they truly are the wellspring of life. Finally, we’re urged to honestly locate ourselves spiritually, echoing God’s first question to humanity: ‘Where are you?’ These insights encourage us to deepen our faith, embrace change with grace, and cultivate a heart that’s open to God’s transformative work in our lives.
As we approach the end of another year, it’s natural to reflect on the lessons 2024 has taught us. In the midst of our busy lives, filled with both triumphs and challenges, there are profound truths that God wants to remind us of – timeless wisdom that can guide us through every season. Here are five powerful insights to carry with us into the future:
- Transitions Take Time – Give Them Your Time
Life is full of transitions, whether it’s moving to a new city, changing careers, or entering a new phase of life. These periods of change can be both exciting and daunting. The key is to remember that transitions take time, and they deserve our patience and attention.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” When we find ourselves in the midst of change, it’s crucial to slow down and be present in the process. Rushing through transitions can rob us of valuable lessons and opportunities for growth.
The world of athletics teaches us that: “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” By taking the time to navigate transitions thoughtfully, we set ourselves up for smoother, more successful outcomes in the long run.
- Marriage Matters Most
In a world that often prioritizes career success or children’s achievements, it’s vital to remember that this relationship should take center stage. The Bible consistently uses the analogy of bride and groom to illustrate God’s relationship with His people, emphasizing the sacred nature of marriage.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 beautifully captures the strength found in partnership: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor… Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” This reminds us that a strong marriage, with God at its center, forms an unbreakable bond.
For those who are married, prioritizing your spouse above all else – including children, work, or personal interests – is not just beneficial, it’s biblical. It’s about nurturing the primary human relationship God has blessed you with, creating a foundation of love and support from which all other aspects of life can flourish.
- The World of the Generous Gets Larger
In a world that often encourages us to hold tightly to what we have, God’s economy works differently. Proverbs tells us, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” This principle extends beyond just financial generosity – it encompasses our time, words, and affection.
Being generous, especially when it feels difficult, opens up our world in ways we can’t imagine. It’s a counter-cultural approach that aligns with God’s heart and often leads to unexpected blessings. As we give freely of ourselves, we find that our capacity for love, joy, and impact grows exponentially.
- Guard Your Heart – It’s the Wellspring of Life
Proverbs 4:23 offers this crucial advice: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” In the chaos of daily life, it’s easy to let our hearts become polluted by negativity, comparison, or bitterness. But guarding our hearts isn’t about building impenetrable walls – it’s about protecting the good deposit God has placed within us.
This good deposit might be a gift of leadership, a spirit of optimism, or a heart of compassion. Whatever it is, we’re called to nurture and protect it, allowing it to shape our interactions with the world around us. When we guard our hearts well, we become fountains of life, positively impacting those around us even in challenging circumstances.
- Locate Yourself to Avoid Remaining Lost
Perhaps the most personal and profound lesson is the importance of honest self-reflection. Just as God asked Adam in the Garden, “Where are you?”, we need to regularly ask ourselves the same question. It’s not that God doesn’t know – it’s that we often lose sight of where we truly are emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.
Like wandering through a vast mall looking for a parked car, we can sometimes feel lost in our own lives. The key is to stop, take stock, and honestly assess where we are. Only then can we invite God into our current reality and allow Him to guide us forward.
This act of locating ourselves requires vulnerability and courage. It means admitting when we’re frustrated, scared, or at the end of our rope. But it’s in these moments of honesty that God meets us most powerfully, covering our shame and renewing our strength.
As we reflect on these lessons, let’s remember that God is constantly speaking to us, often reminding us of truths we’ve heard before but need to apply in new ways. The Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised, teaches us and reminds us of everything we need to know.
In this season, whether you’re facing transitions, nurturing your marriage, learning to be more generous, guarding your heart, or simply trying to locate yourself in the midst of life’s complexities, know that God is with you. He’s inviting you into a deeper understanding of His love and a more purposeful way of living.
Take time to reflect on where you are right now. Are you hiding, like Adam in the garden? Are you running on empty, needing God’s grace to fill you again? Wherever you find yourself, have the courage to be honest with God and with yourself. In that place of vulnerability, you’ll find that God is eager to meet you, cover you with His love, and guide you into the future He has prepared.
Discussion Questions
- How can we be more intentional about giving our time to transitions in our lives, and what might that look like practically?
- In what ways can we prioritize our marriages above other relationships, including our children, and why is this important according to the speaker?
- How can we cultivate a more generous spirit in our daily lives, beyond just financial giving?
- What does it mean to ‘guard your heart’ in today’s world, and how can we do this without becoming cold or distant?
- How can we balance taking our faith seriously while not taking ourselves too seriously?
- What are some practical ways we can ‘locate ourselves’ spiritually and emotionally, and why is this important for our relationship with God?
- How does the story of Adam hiding from God relate to our own tendency to hide our true selves from God and others?
- In what ways can the Holy Spirit help us overcome fear and see beyond our current circumstances?
- How can we apply the concept of ‘slow is smooth and smooth is fast’ to our spiritual growth and life transitions?
- What does it mean to have a ‘good deposit’ from God, and how can we better recognize and guard these gifts in our lives?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for walking with us through the seasons of this past year. As we reflect on the lessons 2024 has taught us, we invite Your Holy Spirit to guide and remind us of Your truth. Help us to embrace transitions with patience, prioritize what matters most, and live generously, trusting that You expand our world when we give freely. Guard our hearts, Lord, so that they remain wells of life, overflowing with Your goodness. Teach us to honestly locate ourselves in Your presence, surrendering our fears and failures to You.
Thank You for Your faithful love, which meets us in every moment and draws us closer to the future You have planned. May our lives reflect Your wisdom, grace, and purpose as we step into a new year with courage and hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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