Year in review

I don't know about you, but I still have some trouble getting back to a healthy rhythm in writing and posting... well, in everything really.

After almost three years of great disturbances worldwide (which affected everyone and everything, no matter where you are in the discussion) I still haven't found my flow.

👉However, I always like to reflect and look back at each year, just to make sure I am still moving forward. As you can see I made an infographic of my writing and speaking efforts in 2022.

Hm, I think I am satisfied, although I have postponed and procrastinated on some of my writing goals. Well, 2023 will bring new opportunities and chances.

Writers/bloggers... Do you review your year? Are you satisfied? Any new goals or plans? Are you working on something new? I would love to hear it.

As far as my work is concerned:

WEBSITE: www.marjameijers.com

YOUTUBE: @MarjaVerschoorMeijers

PODCAST: Fresh Insights on Ancient Truths

TWITTER: @marjameijers

INSTAGRAM: Marja Verschoor-Meijers

FACEBOOK: marja.meijers

The gift of peace

This time of year we remember and celebrate the greatest gift ever given to mankind: God coming down to earth to be among us!

The Bible tells us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.

About that time some wise men (kings, magi) from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:11 says:

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

What a sign of generosity! They opened their treasure chests. Just imagine yourself doing that. Anyway, they worshiped Jesus by giving Him expensive gifts... maybe not even knowing that Jesus came to earth with a gift for them, as a matter of fact with a gift for all mankind.

👉Jesus kept the giving going (as we should) by giving us the gift of peace.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).

🎄I wish you a Merry Christmas. May you open your heart to receive this gift of PEACE!

You don't have to walk in darkness

One more week and the days will be getting longer again! Yeah, I am an optimist 😀 In the meantime people are lighting up the dark days with Christmas lights and candles in their window stills.

👉Darkness doesn't last forever, it never does. After each night there is a new morning. After every winter spring comes again. Such are the seasons of life.

We might find ourselves in the night of our lives, with darkness closing in. Maybe because of an illness, loss, or pain. There can be many reasons why we feel like darkness is getting the upper hand.

But... darkness has no power over light, it does not have the last word! In the first chapter of the Bible we can read how God separated the light from the darkness and how He called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” We have this promise that after the night, a new day will come.

This is the promise of Christmas as described by the prophet Isaiah:

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine (Isaiah 9:2).

Even in our deepest darkness, a light will shine. So many people have gone before us and they wrote about their experiences. Their words are still a comfort for us today. David wrote in Psalm 18:28:

You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.

Jesus can and will do it, like no one else can. He is the light of the world. He calls every person to Himself with a wonderful promise:

⭐I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life (John 8:12).

A balanced Christian life

Extremism, radicalism, and polarization (whatever name we give it) seem to me a result of a lack of balance. Yeah, in every area of life, whether that is in politics, religious views, social issues, or ideologies.

Sometimes I read or hear stuff that makes me wonder how people got there, somewhat like the turtle on the fence post 😏

It seems to be getting more and more difficult to live a life of choices without being put in a box immediately. My goodness, it is possible to enjoy meat and vegetarian food, sunshine and snow, sports and reading, just to name a few.

It is horrific to see that even Christians struggle to find balance in life. We either act like everything is perfect while it isn't, or we cry over everything like there is no Comforter. Well, maybe it is just me...

The other day I was reminded of what is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

I realize I am somewhat radical in my worldview and if it wasn't for the teachings in the Bible I would be all over the place, probably. 👉But knowing that God wants me to learn to live well under ALL circumstances helps me a lot. The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13,

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

I am curious, how do you keep the balance?