Every year, my mom buys me an ornament at Christmastime. This year, I wanted to make sure I chose something that reflected this past year. As a kid, I'm not sure why I thought reindeer, oddly shaped objects, and SpongeBob ornaments were excellent representations of years past. (Okay, let's be honest, I do understand the SpongeBob ornament.) Over the past few years, I'd like to say that I've been getting better at choosing sentimental ones. So as I was talking with my mom and thinking back on 2015, I searched for what stood out most to me about the year.
This year, I have been incredibly blessed to have met and made so many new and wonderful friends. A lot of my new friends are going to be or currently are serving on the mission field all over the world. As I met these people earlier this year, I was overwhelmed at the beauty there is in the Call placed on their lives, and mine as well. To hear about the extreme need for the gospel in so many different lands was heartbreaking, but I was ecstatic as I came to see "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
This year, I have been incredibly blessed to have met and made so many new and wonderful friends. A lot of my new friends are going to be or currently are serving on the mission field all over the world. As I met these people earlier this year, I was overwhelmed at the beauty there is in the Call placed on their lives, and mine as well. To hear about the extreme need for the gospel in so many different lands was heartbreaking, but I was ecstatic as I came to see "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
So I decided on an ornament I found that says, "Friends make the world beautiful." But they are not only my friends, they are the body of Christ. That's what makes this world beautiful. We are called the aroma, body, light, new creations, chosen race, royal priesthood, workmanship, friends, ambassadors, and so much more of and for Christ! We are His!
Do friends make the world beautiful? We need to do our best to make the world beautiful, because we have been called to reflect the Creator of all beauty!
We have each been given a Call, and may we follow that call with joy and gladness. I wish you all a happy and blessed new year. May you be encouraged as you move forward into another year of His beauty and grace.
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." - 1 Peter 2:9
