It seems like the only thing people agree on is that these last two years have been trying, difficult, stressful and overwhelming.

There is little else.

As we ended this past year and look forward to a new one, can I remind you of the whole and simple Gospel as you do too?

This world is unbelievably broken. And without the life, sacrifice and resurrection of Christ? Utterly hopeless.

But if you have been redeemed and made new? We have abundantly more than we could ever imagine and everything we need….no matter what the year may bring.

The noise around us seems to be louder than ever. And in a time where we can unwisely and all too easily hear from voices who are not at all interested in the care of our souls, but rather only self-interested…let’s get back our focus to hearing from the One who brought our dead souls to life.

The Lord is a roaring lion, but He often chooses to speak to our souls in a still small voice.

So we must quiet the noise around us.

We must be intentional about getting quiet. Getting still. Getting small.

This verse comes to mind…“He must become greater. I must become less” (John 3:30)

In a world where we are encouraged to be the loudest, the most knowledgeable, the biggest and most successful….might I suggest it’s okay to be small?

To pray hidden prayers

To seek obedience where no one else will see it

To seek a lifestyle of repentance

To be willing to serve rather than to lead

To be quick to listen rather than to speak

To seek obedience, even if you feel alone in it

To build the church rather than our own platform

To use our talents and gifts for the good of others rather than for ourselves

There have been places in my own life where I feel the tension between all of the above. And if I’m honest, I still wrestle with that tension more than I’d like to

But I’m just like many of you…all I want to do is be faithful.

So this year? I’m going to be willing to play small.

To ask the Lord to restore the joy of my salvation

To ask the Lord to make much of what little I have

To ask the Lord to meet me in every small yet significant place where He’s called me to

Because really… “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?” Mark 8:36