I remember my college English professor saying that the loneliness of the human being is a theme that flows through all great literature. We enter the world alone and die alone, and in between, it’s a constant challenge to find people to love us.
Do you know what kind of person you long to be? I don’t mean in the vague sense that you want to be a loving woman or man or a good Christian. I’m talking about being able to articulate precisely your ideal vision for your life. It sounds like a simple question that should have a simple answer, but many of us fail to put the question into words, and it’s impossible to get a satisfactory answer to a question we never ask.
I can think of no better Bible verse for the new year than Philippians 3:13: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
I love that song of the season that says, “We need a little Christmas right this very minute.”
Those words express the universal longing of the human heart. It’s not a longing for more parties, decorations, gifts, lights, or holiday hassles, but rather for love, joy, and peace for ourselves and for this warring world of ours.
Your greatest mistake is believing there’s any such thing as a mistake.
I first encountered this insight in spiritual direction, and it has completely changed how I think about my life. I used to get so stuck in the guilt and shame of what I called mistakes. I sometimes still do, and the result is inner anguish.
