It's the last day of the year. I feel both pressured but also invited to reflect back on the highs and lows of 2024. For instance, what a privilege it was to ring in the new year on the other side of the globe amidst the craziness that is a Hawaiian New Year's Eve (iykyk). In March, I traveled to Uganda on undoubtedly the best short-term service project I've ever been on. The summer weeks in the states were full of connections, both new and renewed, and I capped off the summer with a unique experience by getting to attend some Olympic Games in Paris. That was a dream come true! New arrivals to Kandern have meant new friends, and I'm loving a second year of being Middle School Chaplain. My admiration for my small group girls and their growth this year has reached new levels. And the final icing on the cake was a visit from my Dad in December and a life-changing chapel, at least for one student.
On the sadder side, 2024 held some emotional good-byes as good friends departed for new adventures. Multiple flights left me stranded and delayed, and I spent a lot of the early months sick - including a food poisoning incident. I witnessed a couple of marriages fall apart and the loss of a beloved unborn baby. Sometimes the reality of living in a broken world is truly heart-breaking.
As I've reflected today, I also looked back at the Scriptures I was led to study this year, some my own choice and some out of necessity for my job, most on my own yet some in community. Here's a short list:
- the Psalms
- Leviticus
- Heaven and the Afterlife
- 1 Samuel
- 1&2 Peter
- the Tabernacle
- Christmas devotional from Grace Church Roseville
The Tabernacle and the Psalms study stand out as my delight this year. I picked up the Tabernacle study as part of our BFA theme of "dwell," and I chose to dive into the Psalms because I actually struggle to read them regularly. I confess that so much poetry at once always bores me. So my challenge this year was to either re-write them in my own words or turn them into prayers. If you'll indulge me, here's a sample of Psalm 146.
Sing praise. Make much of Yahweh, our God!
As long as you this being and live on earth, look to him.
Rather than trusting any single son of man,
hope in the Son of Man.
His salvation will last beyond your breath.
On the day your plans die, his take over.
His help comes from the God of Jacob,
who created all your see and are, even your breath.
He will keep the faith forever.
Only through him can you feed the poor and dispense justice to the oppressed.
Yahweh, you open the blind eyes to see and life up the depressed to joy.
You love those whom others overlook;
you guard your pilgrim travelers.
You reign forever, to all generations.
That's why I use this breath to praise.
Re-reading this one today reminded me that I have much to praise the Lord for when I look back on 2024. He was once again faithful and woke me up to life every single day. I pray that the breaths I took and spent pleased him on the whole, and I aim to use these lungs to point others to him faithfully in 2025.
What did your 2024 hold?
