You can imagine when adapting your life to new county, there are some bumps in the transition. It seems that your strengths get jabbed a little more than usual. For example, back in Normal, one of my strengths was talking to strangers, all the time, about anything. Well, when you know limited words in a language, God is building up other strengths. It takes a little while to see where I fit and where I excel.

But then I was reading in 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”

Wow. Thanks, Paul for that reminder about not needed to be the most eloquent or wise to be used. At all stages and walks of life, whether we are comfortable, scared, or depleted; God still has purpose for us.

I chose a verse for the semester. It’s 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong”.

I don’t necessarily know how to make myself more foolish or weaker for God, but I think I can start by praying for God’s wisdom and strength, which tends to be different than the worlds. The this year with that wisdom and strength I’d like to love a little better, give a little less selfishly, and do something unattainable without God.

I also chose a word for the semester: Uplift. In all my actions, I’d like to focus on uplifting others as well as myself. I want to promote positivity and  exemplify encouragement.

My challenge for you is to do the same! Pick a verse and a word to capitalize on in 2016. Post them somewhere visible. Remind yourself of the promises God has for us and the ways we can grow to become more like Him!