Best 9

At the end of the year a new thing is to reflect back on the “Best 9” moments. The Best 9 moments are measured by the number of likes on an Instagram post. I think this is fun to do, to reflect and look back on. At the end of last year I found myself reflecting and looking back on the year I had just had. Not at the photos that had a lot of likes but looking back and remembering: Did I share the gospel with words faithfully? Did  I love my husband and children well? Did I serve my brothers and sisters? Did I teach and equip people with the Word of God? Did I give sacrificially of my resources and my time? Did I reach out to internationals? All of these questions I’m convicted on.

Your Best 9 moments can not and should not all be seen on a social media news feed. Scripture teaches that we are not to pronounce all over when we give and serve. Listen to Jesus’ words: “When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right  hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:2-4)

Do the best 9 moments of your year so far have you at the center or God at the center? Are your best moments that trip to the beach? That anniversary trip? The Disney world trip? etc. Now one or two of your best memories or moments might pop up. Thats ok but one thing to ask is how is God at the center of each of those 9 moments that look the best to others in your life? How are you reflecting his character and putting the spotlight on God? It is not the things or the experiences that measure our days it’s the fruit. Fruit only comes by abiding in Christ and walking in obedience to him alone.

I share this to encourage and spur on in August because the year isn’t over. I am preaching to myself too y’all. Can you think of 9 people that you have talked with about Jesus that are not your close friends? Have you shared the gospel one time this year yet with words? Are you taking in God’s Word daily to know and experience more of him? Ann Voskamps words come to mind “Every day you can do one thing you wish you could do for everyone. We will be known for our actual fruits not the intentions of our imaginations.”

You don’t need a t-shirt to put on to produce fruit you just need the armor God gives you DAILY. God’s grace for today is always greater than your yesterday failures. Walk in God’s grace. His mercies are new every morning. Each day is a gift to pour out all you have been given trusting that God is going to fill you tomorrow. He always does. Anything good we have to pour out only comes from God. We can’t do anything good apart from Christ (John 15).

Take a moment to reflect on your year so far. Number your days friends. Scripture teaches us this. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”(Psalm 90:12). Know friends God’s grace is greater than our failures always. I fail daily and I only see my need for Jesus more. I find such rest in his faithfulness. Don’t miss out on the joy in the obedience in walking with Jesus.

 “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot