It is pretty far into 2016 at this point but I am just getting around to blogging about it. The last few years I have seen several of my friends choose a word for the year. Instead of making a list of resolutions, they have spent time thinking and praying about a word that will define their year. After a very busy 2015, where a lot of the time I felt like I was running but getting nowhere, I decided to pick a work instead of giving myself a "list". Resolutions or changes just sounded like more "to do" and "to do" is what I think made 2015 feel rushed and overwhelmed. I thought a word would instead give me guidance and peace. I took some time while I was traveling in early January to think about what my word would be. What I settled on was: focus.
In 2015 I felt like I did a lot of good work. I finally finished grad school, I worked for a great advocacy agency, I spent the year doing outreach ministry to women working in the sex industry, towards the end of the year I got a new job that I am really excited about. I did a lot of stuff, a lot of good stuff. At the end of the year though, I did not feel accomplished, I felt tired. During my trip to Myanmar in January I tried to really be there and to focus on the work there and my relationship with God. Taking that time to focus, is what lead me to the word focus for 2016.
During this trip I felt that I really found focus and I also felt fear of loosing the focus once I got home. I also saw the benefit of focus, both for myself and the people I serve. Most importantly was first deciding what to focus on. Focus on God and others, over focus on myself. Another thing that I think made 2015 feel rushed and overwhelming is that I was not focused on the Most Important Thing. If my focus is not on God, that is what makes all the "stuff", no matter how good, feel like stuff and not like purpose.
We all fill our days with "stuff", work, family, small group, church, ministry, but I think many of us are good at letting it just be "stuff". We are just trying to get through the day. When we give ourselves a little bit of tune vision (in a good way) and focus on God, then even when we have tough days it feels like purpose and not like just getting by.
I want to not only spend my life doing "good" work, but I want to be focused on the right things. I do not want to wake up in the morning and just work. I want to always find satisfaction and purpose in my work. I am so blessed to be involved in the work I am, and to be surrounded by amazing people who are also passionate about social justice. I want to continue moving through 2016 being focused and continuing to find focus on the most important things.
In 2015 I felt like I did a lot of good work. I finally finished grad school, I worked for a great advocacy agency, I spent the year doing outreach ministry to women working in the sex industry, towards the end of the year I got a new job that I am really excited about. I did a lot of stuff, a lot of good stuff. At the end of the year though, I did not feel accomplished, I felt tired. During my trip to Myanmar in January I tried to really be there and to focus on the work there and my relationship with God. Taking that time to focus, is what lead me to the word focus for 2016.
During this trip I felt that I really found focus and I also felt fear of loosing the focus once I got home. I also saw the benefit of focus, both for myself and the people I serve. Most importantly was first deciding what to focus on. Focus on God and others, over focus on myself. Another thing that I think made 2015 feel rushed and overwhelming is that I was not focused on the Most Important Thing. If my focus is not on God, that is what makes all the "stuff", no matter how good, feel like stuff and not like purpose.
We all fill our days with "stuff", work, family, small group, church, ministry, but I think many of us are good at letting it just be "stuff". We are just trying to get through the day. When we give ourselves a little bit of tune vision (in a good way) and focus on God, then even when we have tough days it feels like purpose and not like just getting by.
I want to not only spend my life doing "good" work, but I want to be focused on the right things. I do not want to wake up in the morning and just work. I want to always find satisfaction and purpose in my work. I am so blessed to be involved in the work I am, and to be surrounded by amazing people who are also passionate about social justice. I want to continue moving through 2016 being focused and continuing to find focus on the most important things.