10 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self- Part 3
A few weeks ago, I started a series, Ten Things I Would Tell My Younger Self. If you missed Part 1, you can read it here and Part 2 here.
Today I’m going to share with you the final five things I would tell my younger self.
6. Even Achievers Need Rest
This last year has been filled with more rest than any of my years before- partly due to moving to South Dakota where I knew no one and had nothing to do and partly due to Covid-19.
At first it was hard and strange. I like to be active. I enjoy keeping busy and having lots to do. But after a few weeks, I realized how much I needed rest. My body was tired. My mind was tired. My soul was tired.
God did not create us to keep going and going and going. He created us to need rest. He created us to need time with Him. Rest isn’t just taking a nap or binging on movies. Yes, there are times where that is needed, but true REST comes when we cast our cares on Him and allow God to refill our souls.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7
7. Seasons of Waiting are Actually Seasons of Preparation
Most of my life I have felt like I’m waiting. Waiting to hear from God. Waiting for an opportunity. Waiting for the next thing. Waiting for the promise to be fulfilled.
The problem with waiting is we often waste those seasons. We sit and do nothing. Instead, seasons of waiting are preparation. Don’t waste them! Look for opportunities to learn and grow. What books can you be reading? What classes could you be taking? What relationships could you be building?
This is true not just in the big things, but the little things. When you are waiting in line, who could you talk to and encourage? When you are waiting for the appointment, could you be reading a book on your phone or talking to someone else that is waiting? When you are stuck in traffic, could you use the extra time to pray?
God does not waste anything. He will use everything you learn. He will use the patience you develop. He will be Faithful.
“The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25
8. The Ability to Learn is a Gift from God
I did not appreciate school when I was in school. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t maximize the opportunity I had. I wish I had paid more attention in Spanish class. I wish I had taken the opportunity to take harder classes and push myself to learn. I can now see the value of learning.
Never stop learning. Keep reading. Keep listening to podcasts. Keep having deep discussions with all types of people. Surround yourself with a mix of people. Find people who are not like you and learn from them. Be humble. You do not know it all. There is someone who can do it better than you. Find them and learn from them.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7
9. We Reap What We Sow
What you do now, matters later. What types of seeds are you planting in your life? Are you planting generosity, kindness, a teachable heart? If so, these are the things you will harvest later in life. However, if you are planting jealousy, anger, or greed, you will also harvest these things later in life.
Are you investing in learning and growing, or have you become stagnant and complacent where you are? Are you investing for your future financially or do you spend every penny you make? Are you putting the work into building relationships or are you too busy with work to care about people?
You will reap what you sow.
The older I get, the more I can see this is true. In your 20’s everyone is sort of at the same level, but by the time you get to your 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s plus, you can start to see who planted what. You can point out the person who planted bitterness and refused to forgive. You can see the person who invested in learning and growing. You notice who put the work into a healthy marriage and who did not.
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” Galatians 6:7
10. Put God First, Always
It is so easy for things to creep into our spiritual life. Often times, we don’t even notice. We think we are doing the right things: reading our Bibles, praying, going to church, but we don’t notice when those things become just habitual actions and not pure motives of the heart.
Has something taken over the first place in your life? Is there something you run to when you are stressed or overwhelmed before you run to God? If you’ve had a hard day, do you choose to pray or do you choose food, alcohol, exercise, binging out on tv or movies, or video games? When you’re having a problem who do you talk to first, God or your friends?
We might have lost our first love and not even noticed it. Take time to pause and reflect, is Jesus the great love of your life or is something or someone else sitting in his place?
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” Revelation 2:4
We cannot go back and change the past, but we can make changes today that change our future. What things would you tell your younger self? What changes can you make today to change your future self?
Advice, Learn, Rest, Wait, Younger Self
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