What a year! –2022 has been an incredible year for me in so many ways. My personal life, walk with God, my family and our ministry have been super blessed and just beyond words. We have seen God do amazing things in our lives and if you have been following my journey, you know that I have been telling stories and testimonies week after week. You might also know that 2021 was not the best year; it was probably one of the hardest years of my life. Little did I know or think that I would be able to bounce back from all the setbacks I had in 2021. But, God’s storyline for each one of us is so different and purpose-packed.
Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favourite verses, “For I know the plans for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Reassuring, isn’t it? He already had a plan for my 2022, and the events of 2021 did not have any influence on it. The previous year did teach me some valuable lessons, and I can say boldly that it also prepared me for all that I was about to receive in 2022.
I don’t know if you had a difficult year but I would like to encourage you to hold onto to God– He changed my story and I am sure He can change yours as well. The verse that has been in my heart as we enter 2023 is, Psalm 100:4, – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name.”
You might say, “You can say it because it was easy for you, Sandy! You had a great year.” And there is no denying that it is easy for me this year but I entered 2022 in thanksgiving and praise despite 2021 being extremely hard. From starting Ela Koinonia to publishing my father’s biography, and not to forget, Joel and I getting ordained as pastors in a wonderful church in Singapore, God restored double the joy. I read a quote sometime back on the Biblical meaning of “RESTORE” – it means to receive more than what has been lost to the point that the final state is greater than the initial original state. Pause, and read that again! Let it sink in your heart. I encourage you to trust God to bring about a shift.
God went above and beyond in our case. Recently, we got the report that a PhD student in the US is doing a thesis study after having read the book “Like Father, like father,” on how my father planted churches and how he was so skillful in God’s kingdom. Even in the short span of 67 years, he achieved a lot with God by his side throughout. Besides our personal lives, God also worked mightily in our relationships.
You know what, the biggest gift that God gave us is SALVATION–the promise of eternal life. It is a free gift that none of us deserve but we receive it because of God’s love for us. I urge to simply thank God for that beautiful gift; don’t take it for granted. Remember, we are promised no more sadness, tears, separation or sufferings in heaven–it is a place filled with glory and grace. Take time to introspect, count your blessings and enter 2023 with thanksgiving and praise for all that God has done in your life.
Don’t forget to write down all your spiritual goals for 2023. I strongly recommend journalling your spiritual journey; trust me when I say, it is so refreshing when you go back and read some of the things you struggled with and how God helped you come out of it, the intricate details of the blessings you received and how far you have come in your relationship with Christ. Let me give you a peek into some of my goals this year:
1. A teachable spirit: Help me to be more teachable and eager to learn more.
2. A reflection of Christ: Help me to truly reflect Christ and be the daughter after the Lord’s heart.
3. Closer than ever: Help me to have a closer communion and continual newness in my relationship with Christ.
4. Increase my attentiveness to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
The aforementioned are my top four. Take your pen and jot down yours today. I also take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who have been part of our journey–God bless you abundantly and make His face shine upon you. Precious and loved–this is your truth, remember that and speak it over yourself every day. The Ela Koinonia team loves all our readers and we hope to keep listening to the voice of God and creatively put to words what He tells us.
A joyous and Holy Spirit-filled New Year 2023 to you.
Consider this:
I want to challenge you to pin down what you want to achieve in your relationship with Christ in 2023 and enter 2023 with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise because He is good, faithful and He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans for a hope and a future.
2 personal goals to be better and better every day. It can be something you want to change or achieve. Work on yourself and use all the criticism that comes your way as fertilizer to grow stronger.
0 worry and anxiety. Leave all the baggage of worry and anxiety of 2022 and shut the door to it. There is no point worrying instead cast your burdens unto Jesus, He knows and He will take care of it. Be rest assured of that.
2 habits to add on. Something as small as waking up half an hour early or getting into a workout rhythm is enough. Change is good as it helps us adapt to things better, and aren’t we all striving to be the best version of ourselves for God?
3 spiritual goals. Don’t limit yourself to three but have three top things your list and be intentional about working towards it.