Page 8 - REVEALED MAGAZINE WINTER 2023

Wow! Isn't it amazing how we just sailed through another 11 months and are about to welcome the year 2024?

By now you're probably asking yourself where did the time go? You're probably reviewing where you've been
and whether or not you have accomplished everything that you set out to accomplish this year while at the
same time looking at the coming year and trying to set up new milestones to achieve or obstacles to overcome.

It is very easy to forget to reflect not only on what you've done but also how you're being guided or what is
motivating you. I want you to take a minute and sit down, relax and think about how you have made an impact
on those around you this year. Whether it's a sibling, family friend, or work colleague, do you realize that you
are leading or guiding them? The Bible tells us that you are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14 NKJV) and it
also tells us that you are to let your light shine? so others can see the good works but most importantly to
glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16 NKJV)

As you're reflecting on the ins and outs of this year and planning for the future, I want you to stop and think
about this fact that you are:

● Called, predestined, chosen and set apart to be the light in this world.
● You are a royal priesthood, a peculiar people, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises
of Him who called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV)

You see, even though you are the light, you are called out of darkness into His marvelous light. Meaning God
is really the light! Now, stop and think, when you wake up the first thing that catches your eye is how bright it
is because the sun has come out and now your dark room is illuminated. At first it takes your eyes a few
minutes to adjust to the brightness and then you can clearly see whether or not you have left your shoes on the
floor or put them away. This tells me that in the light not only are you able to see everything around you clearly
but you're also able to notice any defects or imperfections.

Now praise God that even though you are the light you are not called to be perfect you are just called to shine
and let others see God's glorious works through you. As you're reflecting don't discount your shortcomings nor
blame yourself for not achieving certain goals but understand that everything that has been accomplished has
been allowed by God so that His light shines and those around you can see Him work.

A perfect example for me of this is that this year had a lot of transitions and certain things I did not accomplish,
however, those around me have pointed out that had I accomplished those other things I wouldn't be seeing
the miracle of God in the things that I did accomplish. One of the biggest non-planned accomplishments of
2023 for me was the ability to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday with her siblings albeit via an impromptu
outside visit from her. Not only was I able to celebrate her but the family reunion that occurred was magnificent.

Psalm 19:1 tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky proclaims the work of his hands. On
the day that I was celebrating her birthday a huge storm blew through and blew everything away and the

08 REVEALED | WINTER 2023