We are coming to the end of another year and amidst the Christmas arrangements, family gatherings and Christmas parties, there is also time to reflect on the year that has been. It may have been a good year or a very bad year, it may have been more storms than calm waters. It may have been a year of laughter and great moments or a year of sadness and regrets. Although self-reflection is important, what is more important is to ask God the question that is on all children’s lips this time of the year… What do you think? Have I been naughty or nice?
The big man sees all the children on Earth, and he judges whether they are naughty or nice and rewards them accordingly. Sometimes we receive our hearts desires, not because we deserve them, but because He is pleased to give them to us to teach us valuable skills and character traits. That first bike a child receives for Christmas teaches them how to succeed and fall, how to cry and laugh, how to be patient and resilient, to have faith and grow in confidence.
My daughter wanted a skateboard for Christmas one year. “A wred state board” she begged at age four. When it arrived on Christmas day, she was overcome with innocent joy. She could never imagine how hard and sometimes painful it would be to learn a new skill. We spent the next few days in the cold learning how to fall safely. With patience and lots of encouragement, we took turns and stuck with her as she kept at it even though she cried and became frustrated or angry at times. Some days she didn’t want to go out on it and some days the progress she made when she accomplished a “new trick” was so infectious that it even made us smile or shout out in glee. I remember how much she loved that skateboard, it was the “best gift ever” she said many times, until she outgrew it and her desire for other things came along with other distractions.
“I know your works, your labour, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have laboured for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
Revelations 2:2
My first love is not a red skateboard or a new bike but it is spending time in the presence of my Father. It’s looking back at the past not from my perspective but from God’s perspective. Yes, we have laboured and made good progress, we have made God proud at times with the skills we gained and the determination and resilience we have shown. We have made good judgements and have learned that in this world there is evil and danger lurking around every corner. We have fallen many times, it’s a reminder to us that we are not in control and to keep us humble. We also learned that every time we learn a new skill it may take several failed attempts but with it eventually comes patience, perseverance and the encouragement of the Father’s voice. Every day God has kept us safe, though we may be bruised, we are still alive.
For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”
Isaiah 41:13
What do we see when we look back? What do we remember when we look back? Do we see failure, do we see achievements? That all depends on how far you look back and from whose perspective you see things. From us, parent’s perspective, it was never really about the skateboard or the skills she learned, the fear of her falling over or the disappointment when she threw a tantrum in frustration or anger. It was about the time we spent together and her wanting us to be there to see her succeed or fail.
God gives us gifts, He teaches us how to use these gifts and skills in the world, but he loves nothing more than to spend time with his children. His rebuke is this, “whilst we are so busy overcoming the world and doing “the right things” let’s not forget what is important. Remember where we were before we got the skateboard? We were just a child with a desire.
God’s Love is what it is about. He will never leave us. He is the faithful Father, whose eyes are on the children he loves, waiting as we acknowledge his presence when we succeed or fail. We all forget to do that and that is what gets us into trouble. “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent.” We just need to stop for a minute, look for him and say sorry that we didn’t ask Him to come outside with us. We thought we could do this on our own, it’s not meaningful unless we know he is watching.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
As I reflect during this season, I look at the harvest and the fruit, I look at the mistakes, not in regret because I know this is how we learn and grow, but I look to see where was God in these moments, was he with me? I look forward to this coming year with joy and anticipation as I go out again because God is with me and that is all that matters.
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:12