There is a location in the United States where four states come together. This place has been named Four Corners and there is a monument at the location where the corners of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah all meet. If a person has some balance and coordination, the individual can place a foot in Arizona, a second foot in New Mexico, a hand in Colorado, and the other hand in Utah all at the same time.
Another place on our planet that offers a unique experience is the International Date Line. When a ship in the Pacific Ocean crosses the International Date Line, a portion of the ship is in one day on the calendar and the remainder of the ship is in the next day or the day before depending on one's direction of travel.
This week we will experience something as unique based on our calendar. On Tuesday, December 31st, we will be in 2024. On Wednesday, the following day which is January 1st, we will be in 2025. So what shall we do this week - review our actions of 2024 or dream and plan the future of 2025? For the purpose of this blog, we will debrief 2024 in this article and consider the possibilities of 2025 in next week's article.
So, what comes to mind as 2024 concludes? Are your first thoughts of mistakes and disappointments that you experienced in 2024 or are you feeling thankful for the successes and blessings that were part of your life in 2024? If we are honest with ourselves, any given year in our lives is a combination of mistakes, disappointments, successes, and blessings. As we debrief our year of 2024, we must be careful that we not only see failure or success because both were present and had an impact on our lives.
One of the passages from the Bible that helps us to understand the fluctuations that fill our lives is found in the Old Testament in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
" For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."
While I can only evaluate my life and events, actions, and experiences that were mine in 2024, here are some suggestions or connections to help put 2024 in perspective for each of us.
What did you do to help yourself grow spiritually and increase your faith in Jesus Christ?
What area of your life did you have the most difficult time obeying and following God's direction and will for your life?
Who came into your life this year - a friend, a child, a grandchild?
What friends and family members passed away? How did you face your grief?
If you are employed, how did you contribute to the business and to fellow employees?
What do you wish you had done but either failed to do or didn't have the opportunity to do?
What brought you the most joy?
Who did you help the most?
Who helped you the most?
Looking back, what are the ten things and/or people you are most thankful for as 2024 concludes?
By spending some time evaluating and debriefing your life in 2024, you will find that God can open your heart and mind to what needs changing and for what you should give thanks. May a time of debriefing this concluding year under the Lord's guidance, strengthen all of us for the acceptance of the truth of the days concluding and empower us for the days ahead.
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