2008 in review

As Christmas draws closer, and the end of the year close by, I have definately started to reflect on the ‘year that was’. Rather than waiting till 2009 to post this, since I may not get to post much in Jan, I thought I’d start now. So sit back, relax and enjoy ‘Middo’s 2008 year in review’!

I am someone who tends to over emphasise on many occassions. I am someone who definately gets ‘very excited’ about simple things. However I believe it is fair to say that this year has been very exciting and quite huge really in the scheme of things. During my 23 years on this earth I have had many other significant periods of change but there are few times I have experienced quite as much change as has happened in 2008. Let me list some of the changes.
 - I have moved from the city to the country.
 - I have changed jobs.
 - I have gone from working primarily with teenagers to primarily with primary aged students.
 - I have changed churches.
 - Though I am technically at a C of C church, my new church is definately very different to my old church in oh so many ways.
 - I have moved from living in a house to living in a caravan, to living in a house again.
 - I have basically changed my entire friendship network, in that I don’t get to see my old friends much.
 - I have had a very close family member (my aunt) pass away.
 
They are the ‘main’ changes, though I’m sure if I thought about it I would find many more. Really, 2008 has been a HUGE year of transition for me.

Between the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 I made the decision to leave nearly everything I ‘knew’ and move to Margaret River simply because I believed (and I still believe) God told me to. Many times I get asked the question ‘how did God tell you?’ and I think I give different answers each time! But mostly I believe he spoke directly to me at Leavers in ’07 when i was contemplating what to do in 2008. I can’t really give more of an answer than that!

So 2008 began with me planning to move…but without any hard and fast ways of making it happen. 2 days before I moved I tee’d up the pastor at my new church for me to live in his caravan for a while, with a friend from Albany. When I actually moved to Margs I did not have a job, though I was in the process of getting into the chaplaincy pool. Many people I knew thought I was absolutely crazy and were sure I’d be back in Perth within weeks…I’m still not:)

I would say one of the major lessons I have learnt during 2008 is about trusting in God, not only when it is easy but when everything looks impossible also. I would not be where I am today WITHOUT God by my side, of this I am sure. Debate that with me later if you like! My faith has grown infinitely this year. My faith has also been challenged greatly at times. My ‘theology’ hass been twisted and turned with me trying to work out what I hold onto for dear life and what I allow to be ‘fluid’ and change as many experiences challenges it. There are parts of my theology that have been challenged that I have stuck too but there are also parts of my theology that have been challenged that I have allowed to change. That is another post in itself. But overall I believe I enter 2009 a lot more mature and a lot more able to stand UP for my faith and theology. For me this is an exciting area of growth.

Without wanting this post to drag on too much more I suppose I will finish it with a few disappointments from 2008. For these I am going to try to be as honest as I can, because I believe in honesty and I believe in opening up, even in a public place like this blog! I must say, however, that OVERALL I am VERY happy with 2008 and some of these disappointments will sound like big downers. I have actually dealt with them all and am ‘happy’ with where they have ended, even though they are still disappointments.

One disappointment would have to be that I can’t name any specific person I ‘KNOW’ who has come to faith in 2008. Now I know, many things have happened that have hopefully been ‘seeds’ planted but I honestly believe that if I am ‘really’ living my faith to its fullest then i will ‘SEE’ fruit. I’m reminded of the mathematical equation which suggests if every Christian led 1 person to faith, and discipled them, each year, then in 32 years the entire WORLD would know Jesus. So I would like to think that each year if even only 1 person comes to faith, that is good. I won’t beat myself up about it but I’d be lying if I said i was ‘happy’ with this outcome. Still, i can only trust that in ‘God’s’ time these things will happen.

Another disappointment would probably be that I haven’t been as involved in Margaret River as I had wanted to be, mostly due to working in Dunsborough 4 days a week. Now i have semi-shifted my idea’s and goals for 2009 because of this, but it is still a significant disappointment for me. I believe in the local church. I believe in local Christians making a big impact in their community, getting outside the 4 walls of the building and getting into the community. I have successfully become involved in my church but I must say I haven’t been as successful as I would have LIKED in the community itself. Hopefully in 2009 I can build on what I ‘HAVE’ achieved.

Also, in the spirit of honesty, I am also disappointed that I am still yet to find that ‘someone special’ to share my life with. I definately entered 2008 (as I must admit I do most years) hoping THIS would be the year. Now, i know this is normal. I know I am young and still have plenty of time…so I am cool with that. But it does still disappoint me. Its just further proof that ‘my’ time and ‘God’s’ time don’t always match up…that is just one part of life! So i move on and endeavour to ‘patiently’ await God’s time. Maybe by 2036 I might get there:P (that is a joke, I know 2050 is more likely:P)

To end my blog on a positive note one HUGE achievement in 2008 was the completion of my tertiary studies, so in 2009 I will receive my bachelor of theology. I actually find it a little difficult having completed a ‘theology’ degree because there tends to be 2 responses people give to me when they find this out.
1. ‘Oh, so you know everything about God and the bible hey? Cool! So what does Zechariah 15:2 say?”
or 2. Who needs a theology degree, that just leads to people feeling more ‘superior’ that other Christians. I don’t know why you bothered.’

But this is ok, I’m getting used to it. I do notice I tend to hide this fact about myself…whether that is good or not. What I would say i have gained from this degree is just how much I DON’T know. I would also say it has helped teach me HOW to study, and set me on a lifelong journey studying the Word and God. So this has to be a good thing! Do I think everyone should get a degree in theology? Of course not, but for me it has been of significant benefit.

So, in 1300 words there is my wrap up of 2008! Much more could be said, but I will leave it there.