Dear Younger Me (Take Care Of Your Body)
Dear Younger Me,
Take care of your body. You know how important it is for you to get sleep, and really, how much you love sleep. When it’s tempting to stay up later (and sometimes, that is okay), remember the importance of your sleep to your health for the next day. Also, drink more water. This is something you will realize later in life that you really struggle to keep up with, but I hope you’ll learn that the discipline of drinking water is going to be so much better for your body. And even when you’re too tired to cook, don’t skimp on your food. Make a point to pack a good lunch, and maybe find some easy things you can whip up for breakfast and dinner when you’re in a pinch. The important thing is just making sure you are actually eating the nutrients your body needs. And, exercise is going to be a tough one later in your life, so I hope you’ll see the goodness it does for your body, and you’ll creatively find ways to incorporate exercise throughout the week. Keeping up with everything can feel like a lot to fight for, but God has given you your body, and your life, to steward, so care for it well that you may function at your best.
Love,
Megan
Three is a notable number. There are three points to a triangle, three feet in a yard, three leaves on a clover. We are entertained by three little pigs, three Musketeers, three Stooges. “Three” forms a triad of perfectly balanced elements, satisfying our need for equilibrium.
God’s Word also contains examples. One set of three I notice is the salvation process: Justification, sanctification, glorification.
In my journaling, three words came to mind: Ransomed, redeemed, and restored—representing for me the biblical concepts of justification, sanctification, and glorification.
First, God justifies. That is, He rectifies us to Himself by purchasing us with His Son’s blood. Ransomed. Then, God sanctifies. He reclaims possession of us by preparing us into His people. Redeemed. Finally, God glorifies, completing His perfect work by bringing us to dwell with Him forever. Restored.
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture paints this beautiful picture.
Starting with Abraham, righteousness through faith “will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:24-25).
Consequently, “the God of peace Himself” purifies us thoroughly, so our “whole spirit and soul and body [are] kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
As He transfers His glory to us, He is further glorified:
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
– Jude 1:24-25
First Corinthians 6 details the sinners we once were: sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers … “But you were washed,” the passage continues. “You were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (9-11).
God’s Provision: The gospel message reveals God’s greatest provision of all. His only Son humbly incarnated Himself as Savior. Titus 2:11-14 says, “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.”
In the breathtaking unfolding of a three-fold plan, God ransoms, redeems, and restores His wayward sons and daughters.
Word of the Week: Scapegoat. People from Bible times customarily released a goat into the wilderness, symbolically bearing and removing the sum of their sins. Now, Jesus is our Passover Lamb.
“And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” – 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
You are stronger than your thoughts. The junk that comes in your mind that tries to roll you doesn’t have to win. You know who you are in God, so keep choosing Him and focusing your mind back on the truth. How I wish you would just choose – every time – to remember how God sees you and that you would look at yourself through God’s eyes. I hope that you’ll someday see how choosing Truth and relying on the strength God gives will lead to progress and winning battles you’ve fought.
The Lord gives power, and He is your strength. Hold onto Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Believe in Him and who He created you to be, finding all you need in Him.
Love,
Megan
Sometimes I am mistaken and must be set back on track. Maybe you’ve also had a moment like that?
It’s quite simple, really. We think something because of how we feel, what we observe, or how we’re taught. It may have to do with your worldview, job, or friend. I experience this “eye-opening” quite often, including last weekend.
Even though I know better, my mind was subconsciously functioning under the assumption that some jobs are more fruitful than others within the Kingdom of God.
I needed to be reminded that God uses anybody and everybody to accomplish His work. In fact, a baseball coach can honor Him as much as a pastor can. Of course, it looks different. Instead of sermons, he prepares game plans and delivers pep talks. In place of hospital visits, he might host team dinners. While he may or may not lead a Bible study, he disciples his players with his words, actions, and expectations. He teaches them life lessons, shows them what’s important, and backs them in the game.
God’s Provision: It’s no surprise that in God’s hands, everything has purpose. He is the author of all things.
“The LORD has made everything for its purpose,” Proverbs 16:4 says. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever”! (Romans 11:36).
God has given each one of us a lot—an assignment to carry out during our days on earth—that will bring Him glory and advance the righteousness of His Kingdom.
I appreciate the way 1 Corinthians 7:17 articulates it.
“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.”
Chapter 10:31 also tells us, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” We work heartily as for the Lord, not men, knowing we are serving the Lord Christ and will receive His inheritance as our reward (Colossians 3:23-24).
The Bible is full of men and women of faith (many times very little in quantity and practice) whom God appointed, equipped, and used to accomplish His purposes in every area. Moses, raised in a palace, fled to herd sheep in the desert and returned as leader of God’s nation. Ruth uprooted her entire life to provide for her mother-in-law and establish honor in her new town. Daniel found pleasure in serving God amidst pagan oppressors, rising in leadership because of his integrity and devotion to his Lord.
Even today, I am amazed at the people of God who wholeheartedly pour out their lives for Him wherever they are, in whatever capacity He has arranged for them.
Word of the Week: Well done. May we live in such a way to hear these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23).
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
There is joy in sacrifice. When you give of your time to help someone else, when you’d rather be somewhere else, choose not to let resentment win, because you have the opportunity to experience serving. Service doesn’t take much sacrifice when it’s on your own terms, and it fits in your timetable and your mood, but God doesn’t ask you to love and serve others only when it works out for you. He desires a heart that is willing to serve and love others when those opportunities arise, so may you have eyes always open for them. When you find yourself struggling through helping someone, or when your responsibilities to others are weighing a little more heavy than usual, remember to find joy in sacrifice.
Love,
Megan
As the sagacious icon from our childhood fables would say, slow and steady wins the race. The tortoise has become known for his unwavering steadfastness in contrast to the hasty, overconfident hare.
I find this to be good life advice as well. Quick, sporadic bursts of energy are often short-lived and temporarily effective, neither sustainable long-term nor fruitful in ongoing endeavors.
The Christian life requires enduring perseverance. Circumstances are tragic, temptation is constant, and doubt is nagging. Not only do we face the usual pressures and problems of human existence, but also the spiritual tension of dealing with the flesh while living for God. There are moments when it feels utterly exhausting.
There are moments when it feels like the fight won’t end, the finish line won’t come, the dawn won’t break. But I encourage you as the Lord has been faithfully encouraging me this season: It will.
God won the battle, rewards the runner who endures till the end, and will forever be the source of light that illuminates eternity.
First Corinthians 15:57 says God gives victory through Jesus Christ.
James 1:12 promises, “When he has stood the test [the man who remains steadfast under trial] will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”
The ultimate, eternal prize is the light of God’s presence, “for the glory of God gives [the city] light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Revelation 21:23).
We grow weary, but our faithful God always encourages our hearts and uplifts our spirits.
He walks with us in valleys and victories, giving us rest and restoration. His steadfast love keeps us steady; His faithfulness makes us faithful followers.
God’s Provision: I am so comforted by Isaiah 26:3. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” God is an anchor, compass, and northern star for us.
Word of the Week: Moor is the action of fastening a boat or seafaring vessel to the shore or an anchor in order to “make it fast.” In my world, God’s steadfast love is the weighty rope and His faithfulness the sturdy cable that secures me to Him day in and day out. Tides rise and fall, waves crash and swell, but my inner being is stable, firm, and steady.
Painstaking, maybe. But we are not running alone. Slow and steady wins the race.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
If the chores don’t get done, it doesn’t mean you failed. You will find yourself in seasons of your life when the dishes stack up and the laundry sits on the floor, halfway done. Your desk could be a mess, and the bathroom needs cleaned, but I hope you will give yourself grace to see that you don’t have to live up to the expectation of having everything done all the time. Because sometimes, you just can’t get it all done.
You are always making steps of progress, even if the project isn’t done when you want it to be. And it’s also okay to rest, you really need to. You will have seasons where it seems like everything is happening all at once, and you can’t do it all. But you can do some, so I hope you realize, you can be okay with some. Should you strive for perfection and living the life God has called you to of serving? Absolutely. But you also need to remember that God knows you aren’t perfect. And He’s also called you to rest. Look at your responsibilities from that view, and I think you’ll see your mindset change.
Love,
Megan
Dear Younger Me,
All the times you’ve tiptoed around other women because you think they don’t like you or you’re afraid they won’t…what if you just chose to pursue their friendship instead of giving in to your fears? You fear that they don’t want your company or think that you aren’t cool enough, but what if they are fighting insecurity just like you? Or what if you just find their personality hard to read? Mom will remind you of the practice of just asking that person about their life. People do enjoy talking about themselves! But your questions will show you care, and I think it’ll direct your focus away from thinking about yourself and being self-centered. You’ll get to freely love as God calls. There’s always a desire to be wanted – wanting others to reach out first, showing that they want a friendship. So maybe you could be the one to reach out. I hope that the less you consider your insecurities and the more you choose to just invest in the lives of the people around you, you will find some sweet friendships and beautiful connections.
Love,
Megan
Dear Younger Me,
Allow feedback to grow you, not hurt you. It doesn’t feel good when others point out ways you can improve, because you want to be seen as perfect. However, though it may not feel good, you can take that feedback and apply it in a constructive way to grow. And receiving feedback does not mean you are awful at what you are doing. It’s just a training moment. Like when Mom pointed out to you that you weren’t very nice with your words to your sisters, and she had you look up every verse about words in the Bible. It wasn’t a condemnation of you, but a training moment for you to learn how to live and speak righteously. You must allow others to speak into your life kindly and gently and allow them to correct you, whether in your work or your walk with God. Like it says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” If you really seek growth and to be the best you can be, you must let others speak into your life.
Love,
Megan
Many things take many forms. For instance, rest. Some find it in a nap, vacation, walk, or movie. The same goes for joy, kindness, fulfillment, or community. Because we are all unique, we experience these pleasures in differing ways.
Worship is like that too. It is one thing—the glorification of God—that takes countless forms. I love how God inspires His creation to exalt His name!
Worship can come from the strings of a guitar or the threads of a sewing machine. It can bubble on the stovetop, pour cement at a construction site, or teach a lesson in a classroom. God’s name can be magnified through food drives, concerts, mission trips, carpools, and cookouts. His honor and dominion have no boundary!
Worship can come from anywhere because it comes from within. Praise originates in the heart, flows through the hands, departs from the lips. Adoration and confession are outward expressions of inward convictions. Worship is an innate compulsion of humanity because God fashioned us for fellowship with Him.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God put eternity into man’s heart. We are made to know Him. He fabricates every fiber of our being to discover, follow, and revere Him.
Psalm 150 paints the picture.
“Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty heavens!
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with lute and harp!
Praise Him with tambourine and dance;
Praise Him with strings and pipe!
Praise Him with sounding cymbals;
Praise Him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!”
This posture of praise and proclamation infuses Scripture.
Nehemiah 9 professes, “Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you” (5-6).
God’s Provision: “Come and see what God has done,” Psalm 66 invites. “He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man … Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul” (5, 16). Indeed, “all the earth worships [Him] and sings praises to [Him]; they sing praises to [His] name” (4)!
Jesus Himself said if His people silenced their praise, “the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:40)!
Worship seeps from the cracks and crevices of our lives. Worship can arise whenever, wherever, in whatever circumstance, and however the Spirit leads. God is eternal, omnipresent, and sovereign, drawing His praise from all His hands have made.
Word of the Week: Guileless. Jesus described Nathaniel this way, reminding me how true worshippers “worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him” (John 4:23).
Abby