Yesterday I turned 18.
Leading up to my birthday, I was unsure of how exactly things would turn out. The image of a “perfect day” wasn’t lining up to reality-- at all. But it was then that God reminded me to trust Him, for He had more planned for me than I knew that day. Recently, He’s been teaching me to let go of my plans and desires in exchange for His own. Yesterday was just one more opportunity to do so. Little did I know that God would shower me with surprises, numerous blessings, strengthened faith, answered prayers, and beautiful weather on my birthday. He indeed knew just what He was doing, even when I did not. Over the past couple of years, I’ve found that asking advice from those older than me has benefitted me immensely. Last year I wrote a post around my birthday listing 17 things I’ve learned in 17 years (you can find the post by clicking here). This year I thought it’d be fun to share with you all 18 words of advice from 18 years of my life. I hope they benefit you as well! 1. God’s faithfulness isn’t limited by our perception or understanding of who He is. 2. Don’t let the time you read God’s Word become a mundane routine, chore, or even an act of religion. Instead, memorize, study, and meditate on it because you love the Author, and you desire Him more than anything. That is true passion and hunger. 3. Just because a door is open doesn’t mean God opened it. Pray before you make big decisions because even the paved path can seem perfect, but lead somewhere God doesn’t want you to go (even when we mess up, it doesn’t catch God by surprise. He is gracious to pick us back up again). 4. Do hard things, and start doing them young. Even when difficulty stares you in the face and says you can’t, do it anyway. You’ll find that the more you practice hard things (public speaking, writing, standing up for what’s right, learning a new instrument, memorizing books of the Bible, talking to strangers, etc.), the easier it will be. 5. A race can only be won by taking it one step at a time. Memorizing scripture can only be done one verse at a time. Living for Jesus can only be done by glorifying Him one day at a time, and giving Him the rest. We weren’t meant to carry more than what He’s given us, today. 6. By succumbing to the low expectations of this culture and choosing not to use my teen years to grow in my character, abilities, and relationship with God, I’m missing out on some of the most important years of my life. I’m making it harder on myself later, and wasting the years God has given me now. 7. Adults are wise. Listen to them. Ask them questions. Learn from them. Bless them. 8. Always go to God first. If you can’t understand something in scripture, ask God for interpretation, wisdom, and revelation. If you’re struggling to make a hard decision, pray about it and ask for His peace and direction. He’ll show you! 9. Don’t wait to tell or show others how much you love them. Life is a gift and you’re living in this moment. Enjoy this present from God, and love fully! 10. There is NO freedom outside of Christ. No matter how many places we look for a sense of satisfaction and joy in temporal things, we won’t find it. If we do, it won’t last. Jesus is where freedom and joy is truly found. The closer we get to Him, the more of that we’ll experience. 11. Take time to slow down. Life can be so fast paced. Often we can get so carried away with the distractions and cares of this world that we forget why we’re here. We forget to take in the beauty surrounding us, and the work of our Creator. The Bible says to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10), and to set our mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2). 12. Use your words to encourage, rather than to tear down. God gave us the ability to speak whatever we choose, so CHOOSE to glorify the King and uplift others with the beautiful gift of words. You have this opportunity. Don’t waste it! 13. Materials don’t matter as much as we think they do. True joy is found in eternal things, and in Jesus, rather than what we store up (Matthew 6:19-20). Christ understands what it’s like to be tempted by the enemy with momentary pleasures of this world (Matthew 4). Yet even then He laid down his life so others could find their own. He gave up what he could’ve had so we could be given the best gift of all. 14. Smile. If your mind is telling you there is absolutely no reason to do so, remind yourself that if you know JESUS, that's reason enough. It doesn’t matter if the sun is shining or not. Smile anyway, and watch how that one simple choice can change someone’s day. 15. People won’t always agree with us, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean we should stop showing Jesus’ love to them, that we should ignore them, or that we should compromise in what we know to be true. Rather, stand for truth and love them anyways. 16. Everyone gets angry, but staying angry and choosing to walk in prolonged bitterness is not ever worth it. 17. Give. When you do, don’t expect anything in return. Forgive. When you do, don’t expect an apology, but genuinely release them into the hands of God. 18. GOD IS IN CONTROL. No, my life may not be the way I planned it, and my circumstances may seem overwhelming, but my God still reigns. My life is for His glory and to do His work and not my own. Knowing this allows me to rest and find true joy in Him. So there you have it! Keep on focusing on Jesus, and let Him take you to new levels as you ask for wisdom and seek advice from those around you. Above all, trust Him and desire for His will to be done. The rest will fall into place! Love you all! -Hannah K.
2 Comments
Julia Scott
7/28/2020 04:50:45 pm
Happy belated! love this post, so many wise insights! thank you!
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Hannah K.
8/8/2020 10:14:21 pm
You're welcome, Julia!
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AuthorHello, I'm Hannah and I'm so glad you're here! I'm a twenty-year-old Jesus-loving writer, National Bible Bee Alumna, and homeschool graduate. Jesus redeemed me, and now I give my life, and this blog, to serve Him. Hebrews 3:13 reminds us to encourage each other daily, lest we be hardened by sin. I hope that reading each blog entry that I post you will be encouraged and challenged to become more like Christ daily. |