I wanted to write a little something to ring in the new year that doesn't have anything to do with social media, much like how blogging was when I first started doing it two decades ago (I really do miss those days!). One of the reasons I loved blogging then was that social interaction took place on the blogs themselves, as opposed to on other platforms where there could be limitations. I've found it quite difficult to flesh out information when most platforms are now oriented toward short-form content. As a result, it's easier to miss context and for people to only engage with higher-level ideas or summaries. Though I have tried to maintain a social media platform to complement this blog, my first desire is to actually write as opposed to taking pictures or creating videos.
With the start of a new year, it's been a great time to reflect back on life in 2023 and what I hope for in 2024. As I shared in the lessons that I learnt from the past year, there have been ups and downs in reentering the online world. I confess that I am still apprehensive about sharing my thoughts and book reviews so publicly, so one of my prayers has been that I can maintain a small audience. Having a larger audience will not be my goal if I can help it; my goal is more to find fellowship with like-minded believers and readers since very few people in my social circles read the same books that I do. Further to that, I want to continually point to Jesus in what I write, which means that I don't feel the need to share much about myself. I understand that I'll bring my own perspectives and biases into what I write, but I see this more as an outlet in acknowledging God than in building up anything of my own (yes, it is ironic that I have a logo, but that's more for technical reasons than anything else 😄). Christian Shelves only exists because of Him, and I'm reminded that it's a very humble platform that I can stop using at any time if God asks me to do so.
Keeping those things in mind, I'm discerning how best to use my time on here this upcoming year. My first love is God and I have felt a renewed energy in becoming more grounded in His Word. I'm learning so much, and see the need to plunge into the Bible even more. I also love reading Christian books, and have found my interest in secular books waning. While there have been some years where the proportion has been heavily skewed toward secular books, I just want to soak up everything that I can about God now. It almost feels like I'm back in school with this mindset, but I'm hoping that it's the Holy Spirit at work that is causing me to feel this way. This has me quite excited for what God will do next in my life, along with feeling grateful for what He has already been doing. I love that a new year brings with it a reminder of God's promises and a joyful anticipation of how much closer we can draw to Him.
My prayer for this year and every year is that God will lead and guide me as I surrender to Him.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight."
May Jesus Christ be glorified and His name lifted on high!
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