If you’ve spent any time on social media this week, you are starting to see the “highlight reels” of 2024. All the amazing things that happened this year, and every single high point of their year summed up into a 10 second clip. Exotic places traveled to, wonderful foods tasted, company with many friends, the works.
While I love a good highlight reel, there’s also something special about the lowlights…the times where you didn’t think you could make it, but God pulled you through.
Those days where you cried more tears than you thought you could ever cry, but then got up and continued to do life because God was with you.
Or the moments where you were starting to lose hope…all hope…but He gave you a reason to dream again.
Just for today, I thought we could look back together on those low points…and to remember the faithfulness of God.
If I were to make you my own “lowlight reel” or video, this is what I would show you:
• A doctor’s diagnosis of a loved one that sent us in tears…but God reminded us, “I’m not done yet.”
• The time I wanted to give up on writing my book…but God sent me a friend to say, “I need this book. Please keep writing.”
• Living with insecurities and doubts that invaded my mind…only to hear God say, “I chose you. You are mine.”
• The time I prayed wholeheartedly over an issue in my life only to receive a “not yet” in the arms of Jesus as I cried to Him, knowing He could handle my tears.
The lowlights of this year actually point us to His goodness, and I’m reminded that even when I wanted to quit, He never did.
This week Pastor Jason shared about the future promise of blessing God gave Abram, and what that cost him to pursue the blessing…leaving everything behind.
It reminded me of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:13 “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” (NLT)
Maybe there are some things we need to leave behind in 2024. Things like the enemy having a foothold in our life, allowing ourselves to isolate, trying to do things apart from God, or the weight of working to control everything to protect us from getting hurt.
I would invite you to look back on this year, to see the “lowlights” and to ask yourself, “How was God there for me?” “What did He show me in that lowest of low that I can carry with me moving forward?”
There is only one thing we can carry with us moving forward…and that’s the eternal lessons and sanctification God has planted in our hearts. Seeds of His faithfulness. We can’t carry old baggage with us. We can’t bring old habits or things that don’t serve us anymore.
We are striving for what’s ahead…and that is blessing.
While I love a good highlight reel, there’s also something special about the lowlights…the times where you didn’t think you could make it, but God pulled you through.
Those days where you cried more tears than you thought you could ever cry, but then got up and continued to do life because God was with you.
Or the moments where you were starting to lose hope…all hope…but He gave you a reason to dream again.
Just for today, I thought we could look back together on those low points…and to remember the faithfulness of God.
If I were to make you my own “lowlight reel” or video, this is what I would show you:
• A doctor’s diagnosis of a loved one that sent us in tears…but God reminded us, “I’m not done yet.”
• The time I wanted to give up on writing my book…but God sent me a friend to say, “I need this book. Please keep writing.”
• Living with insecurities and doubts that invaded my mind…only to hear God say, “I chose you. You are mine.”
• The time I prayed wholeheartedly over an issue in my life only to receive a “not yet” in the arms of Jesus as I cried to Him, knowing He could handle my tears.
The lowlights of this year actually point us to His goodness, and I’m reminded that even when I wanted to quit, He never did.
This week Pastor Jason shared about the future promise of blessing God gave Abram, and what that cost him to pursue the blessing…leaving everything behind.
It reminded me of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:13 “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” (NLT)
Maybe there are some things we need to leave behind in 2024. Things like the enemy having a foothold in our life, allowing ourselves to isolate, trying to do things apart from God, or the weight of working to control everything to protect us from getting hurt.
I would invite you to look back on this year, to see the “lowlights” and to ask yourself, “How was God there for me?” “What did He show me in that lowest of low that I can carry with me moving forward?”
There is only one thing we can carry with us moving forward…and that’s the eternal lessons and sanctification God has planted in our hearts. Seeds of His faithfulness. We can’t carry old baggage with us. We can’t bring old habits or things that don’t serve us anymore.
We are striving for what’s ahead…and that is blessing.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.