Zibuyile iinkokheli

It’s that time of the year: when everything and everyone is slowing down for the festive rush. How ironic. We spend a whole year chasing after busyness in the workplace only to slow down in December to chase after more busyness socially.

It’s also that time of the year: when everyone posts their reflective pieces and pictures. The high highs and the occasional lows. I anticipated the groans that would come from my heart during this time and I somewhat prepared myself and came up with the plan, albeit flawed. I wrote a letter to myself in October, shared it on my social platforms in November and I thought to share it on the blog simply because ‘here I groan again’ and I need to constantly remind myself that…

Dear 2023 Me

Before you start seeing everyone’s highlight reel on social media and your heart sinks because yours seems to pale in comparison to theirs – bless the Lord and forget not His benefits. He has redeemed your life from destruction.

Before Spotify wrapped sends you a reminder of that one song you played on repeat til the artist’s vocal chords begged for mercy just because when you had no words and the tears had run dry, their voice spoke your heart – bless the Lord, for He crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

Dear 2023 Me

Before you think that this year didn’t turn out right because life threw all its curveballs and boomerangs at you, this is your reminder that none of it has been a waste. None of it will ever be – He satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.

Bless the Lord.

Psalm 103 (paraphrased)

Before this year draws to an end, make a joyful noise to the Lord. Worship Him with gladness. Know that God, is God. And God? He made you. You are His. A well-tended sheep in His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him. Come. Come and bring your sacrifice of gratitude into His presence. Affectionately bless His holy and beautiful Name. For the Lord is good. Let worship burn at the altar of your heart. Let the aroma of reverence flow from your mouth as you declare His splendor and majesty just like the waves do as they crash upon the rocks.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.

Psalm 100 (paraphrased)

Dear 2023 Me

I am extremely proud of you for choosing to take God at His Word and allowing your steps to be ordered by Him. The route and path He set out for you this year might’ve been a little unconventional and scary but He has never lied. God stands true to His Word and none of the words He spoke to you will return to Him having not come to pass; rest assured. He stands on His Word to perform it. So dear future me: continue to lay down your life as a platform for God to act out His Word.

Dear 2023 Me

You allowed your steps to be ordered and although you sometimes tripped on the steps because you didn’t leap as instructed; Although you sometimes wept on the steps because you were exhausted; Although sometimes you mumbled on the steps because none of them made sense and you were unable to express the discomfort, I am proud of you for stepping. And with God’s Word as a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, you will never ever walk in darkness.

Dear Future Me

As long as God orders your steps, keep on stepping. As He orders, step. Let Him order. He knows the path in which you should go. For He is a Good Shepherd after all. There is still a long way to go, keep on stepping. He is gracious and knows where the green pastures and quiet waters are.

Dear Future Me

2023 looked like many things and quite frankly, none of those are found on social media. This experience felt very unique to you. However, Jesus our High Priest is not unfamiliar with the human experience. May your story be used by heaven for God’s glory and for the salvation and redemption of many.

Dear Future Me

God promises to stay close to you. Instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. He promises to advise you along the way and lead you forth with His eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult. Don’t be stubborn when He takes you where you’ve never been before. Don’t make Him tug you and pull you along. Just go with Him

Close. Instructing. Guiding. Advising. Leading.

Psalm 32:8 (paraphrased)

Dear 2023 Me

As you write down the vision and make it plain for all to see, and perhaps for only you to bear witness to because of how seemingly outrageous some of those things are, I dare you…I dare you to put OBEDIENCE to God in big bold letters on each category of your vision board.

Dear Future Me

I dare you. I dare you to use your level of obedience to God as a benchmark for your success…

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Hey Leader!

I don’t know how many times I’ve had to not only read this letter to myself, but also listen to myself read it, which is a bit cringeworthy but I’m doing what I have to to counter the groans in my heart. I’ll be honest and say that the me that wrote this letter is in a totally different headspace compared to the current me. Which I guess is the very reason why I wrote it when I did. So I’ll be reading this note to self as many times as I have to, flesh it out with more content and meditate on the Scriptures that inspired it because right now? My heart is groaning.

In case you don’t hear anything from me again, as you do life and lead into 2024 and the future:

I dare you to use your level of obedience to God as a benchmark for your success.

@zibuyileiinkokheli