17 Things I‘ve Learned In 2023
1.] I don’t know.
It’s okay not to know. But it’s not okay to deny that you don’t.
And even worse, not to know that you don’t know.
Ignorance has gotten me in really bad places — mentally. Trying to run on a tank that has no fuel while believing there’s plenty is not fun.
In such cases, frustration is born. What comes after that I better not tell.
The point is, to acknowledge that you don’t know, accept it, and grab a book (a way of saying learn).
Ignorance is an opportunity that can be turned into learning.
2.] It’s not as easy as it’s told.
Most successful life stories told are usually sugar-coated, and stripped off of their reality and their process.
Whether that’s stories of salvation, of building a strong body, or establishing a business, they often sound like rainbows.
But, in utmost truth, the process is like trying to empty the pool with a bucket of water, or scrabbing off wall paint with your short nails — oh yes, it’ll come out, but you’ll have to pay for it.
I have tried to get away with a few goals with a fast food, “no pain lots of gain” mentality, and it did not work. At all. The work must be worked.
3.] Believe in yourself.
Yes, this. I have stayed stuck in a particular area in my life, not really because I don’t know that God will do it or something like that.
But, because I just didn’t believe in myself. Such an underrated principle this one. Should you do greater things in 2024, you must believe in yourself.
4.] Default to what you believe in.
Heard of cycles? yes, going around the same place and never getting anywhere.
The thing with life is this, there are many options, you can go anywhere you want to go, do whatever you like, but there are a few, if not one, that is coded deeply in your heart that you are constantly pushed to do, and if you are sincere about yourself, you actually really trully believe in that direction, and for some reason you know it serves a greater purpose than yourself.
Yes, that! I am learning to go back there, and so should you?
5.] Keep it simple.
How many goals did you put up this year? 10? 20?
If you are like me, I put up I think 10, and how many did i check off? well, save me the embarrassment.
My point is this, keep it simple. Don’t pretend your capacity. Don’t wish. Don’t give yourself false hope. Pick something in line with your convictions, that you can do a plan on, and then hit the gas.
A lesson I’m taking to 2024.
6.] Meaning is not found in me, rather, in Christ.
Hahaha. This one.
I have been the kid who has been flipping rocks, turning them upside down to find meaning, to find a sense of purpose.
You wouldn’t believe where this started (secondary school), and how long it’s taken (I think I’ve just been stubborn, but, anyways). I’ve been searching everywhere except in Christ.
Now, I’m more than convinced that I will not find it elsewhere than in Him.
7.] My life is not my own.
The more I forced to have my way this year, the harder it became.
And even more, the need to surrender grew.
You did not create yourself, and that is a lesson that’s been hard to accept.
Though I thank God, this year, He has had a good chunk of it come through.
8.] Death is the way to life.
From January to December — death, after death, after death, I’ve felt God burning me beautifully, and well of course, painfully.
With every burning, there’s been a release of a life more peaceful, more joyful, more hopeful and more yearning. I’ve learned and still learn that, If I want to have life eternal, death is the way — letting go of myself.
I lose my life to gain it. That’s the way of the Kingdom of God.
9.] Christ is the Solid Rock.
This might sound so obvious to some, so obvious that they dismiss it, and never really get to understand it because, well, religion is doing it’s job.
Or, for others, it’s another religious jargon.
For me, well, if you’ve read the lessons above — this lesson, is slipping in beautifully, and of course, painfully.
Painfully because of reluctance — so, that’s my problem, not everybody’s, I think. Christ is “The” Truth. He is not “a” truth, He is the Only Truth. And from my long-time hunt of “The” Truth, I’ve found Him.
And, I don’t think I’m letting go of Him anytime soon.
10.] Listen to your convictions.
I’ve gotten busy this year. So busy to pay attention to what God’s been sharing with me, annnd, the outcome? delay.
Lesson: listen to the still small coinvicting voice inside. It won’t go away unless you do. You’ll have to learn to block out worry and doubt (a thing I am definitely battling with at the moment) and lean in, and follow.
11.] People’s noises are loud. Get earbuds.
Will you listen to them? well, that’s your choice. As for me and my family, I’m learning to tune my ears to the voice that matters: God’s. Noise cancellation is on.
12.] Wholeness
Oh! The number of times I’ve tried to dive into a relationship or get this something to fill a gap, only to realize I’m just not whole — as in, fully content and happy with me without needing a thing to fill me up in some way, to make me feel good.
Here’s the lesson that’s hitting home, you can be fully happy, fully content, fully in love with you, in God. Helps turn down unnecessary pressures, that get you making regrettable decisions.
13.] You’ll run around in cycles until you get it.
I can’t tell you the number of times I have chased my tail just because I have refused to learn what He’s trying to teach me.
As soon as I got it, crazy enough, I moved to the next level.
In God’s system of doing things, no classes are skipped. If you don’t get it, you’ll go around in cycles until you do.
14.] God has blessed me with everything I need, I just need to be bold enough to believe it and receive it.
All that I need is out there somewhere? At least that’s what I believed.
I keep learning that what I need is all provided for, and my job? to know it, believe it and receive it.
God has put everything I need in my spirit the moment I received Christ. If you have, then you too have it within you.
The beautiful challenge? to comb through His Word, believe it and receive the prosperous life He has for you.
15.] Never to run myself cheap. If they don’t value me, then I might as well not waste my time with them.
Begging through a relationship, staying where you are abused. Is it worth it? especially for the worth you carry? Never not a chance (A line I picked from NF’s song — Pandemonium)
Go where you are valued. Respect yourself enough to say no where you are not.
16.] I am a king.
If you don’t know that you are one, then life will treat you exactly the way you see yourself.
This applies to queens too.
My identity has been the project for 2023.
God has really worked on how I see myself. Again, beautifully but painfully. You are not a cheap product, you are a masterpiece. You ought to see yourself through God’s eyes if you ever want to do great things in 2024, because what you do comes from how you see yourself.
17.] Trust.
Tough one. Hard one.
But it takes a real man, or a real woman to let go, and Trust in God.
This has been and still is my lesson throughout 2023 towards 2024, and I’m glad for where I am today. “Progression and not perfection” is the name of the game. Learn to lean into Him in 2024, He has great plans in store for you.
