Devotional: who will you become in 2015?

Friday, January 9, 2015

17 years ago I arrived in the US with $200 in my pocket and 2 suitcases in my hands. Shortly after settling in my college dorm someone robbed me of $100 dollars so I was left with $100. At that scary moment I learned that “it’s not about what happens to you, it’s about who you become.” I became Brave when I faced that situation and immediately found a job in the college cafeteria. I went on to graduate with honors as a journalist. Because It’s not about what happens to you, it’s about who you become.
I gained a lot of things 5 years ago as I arrived in motherhood. Our family gained sweet new members around every year – yes, we’re baby bunchers – but I felt like I lost a few things as well. My sense of identity was lost. Long gone was that pride that came from working hard, earning degrees and conducting a successful career. In this new land of motherhood there’s a leveled playing field. That life lesson was the same tough “it’s not about what happens to you in motherhood, it’s about who you become.”
Hannah in the Bible had many sad years as she longed to be a mother. To make matters worse she had to withstand the constant bullying of her sisterwife who had many children while Hannah remained barren. The miracle happened when Hannah prayed, despite of her hopeless situation, and God heard her prayers. You see, it’s not about what happened to Hannah, it’s about who she became. Hannah became the mother of many children and her oldest son was Samuel, a prophet that God used mightily in Israel. The Bible says that God was with Samuel and didn’t let none of his words fall to the ground. so remember, “It’s not about what happens to you in 2015, it’s about who you become.”
God is very interested in who you become this year my friend. And as a source of encouragement we remember the MOPS Bible verse for this year which says
“Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19
God is more interested in who we become than in what we go through. How so? When it comes to our different tribulations the Bible says that we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. But when it comes to who we become, Romans 8:29 talks about how we are to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Another verse in 2 Corinthians 3:18 saysBut we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” It’s not about what happens to you in 2015, it’s about who you become with God’s help.


As you arrive in 2015 I don’t know what you’re facing. You might feel like I did in College. You’re in the middle of a scary situation. Or you may feel like I did every time a new child was born, your sense of identity is shaky. The good news is that as you stand in this brand new year God is whispering: “it’s not about what happens to you, it’s about who you become. And I am your very present Help.”
2015 stands ahead of us as an uncharted sea. Good thing we know that in Jesus we are more than conquerors for it’s not about what happens to you in 2015, it’s about Becoming more like Jesus.
God is not against goals. I believe that God actually likes them so we don’t go through the year aimlessly. I want to challenge you to think about who does God want me to become as a mother? What do you lack? Do you need to be:
1. Brave
2. Patient
3. Encouraging
4. Present
5. Peaceful
Next time we will talk about ways to get there with God’s help.

• Read part 2 here: Wisdom, that's my final answer