Destress the Damsel

H.O.W. A Man-Eater Is Made

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Has anyone here seen Mister Mo?
Said the man-eating plant, “We did.“
Did he come in here an hour ago?
Said the man-eating plant, “He did.”
He was carryin’ Nugrow and potting pans
And clorophyll boxes and waterin’ cans,
And he came in here to feed the plants.
Said the man eating plant, “He did.”

– “Man-Eating Plant” by Shel Silverstein

Our natural world consists of three primary categories of living creatures: plant life, the animal kingdom, and humankind. Each of these living beings builds upon the next…

• Plants, being the lowest of all creatures; consist only of a soma (a body). Their “awareness”, as it were, only extends far enough to respond to the world around them in a physical way. (i.e. growing under the sunlight, grasping onto a vine, recoiling at the touch of a hand, etc.)

• Animals, being a step above plants; consist of a soma and a soul. Their awareness not only includes the physical responses detailed above; but additionally, animals have unique temperaments, behavioral patterns, and societal order. (i.e. the tendency to be a friendly or grumpy pet, the capacity to learn commands and routines, the ability to function with like creatures as a group, etc.)

• Humans, being the most dominant species on earth; consist of a soma, a soul, and a spirit. Our awareness includes not only the combined awareness of plants and animals alike; but additionally, we have the ability to function in a Spirit-fueled existence beyond our fleshly nature in this world. (i.e. forgiving someone who has wronged us, serving when we feel like lazing, denying our sinful desires, etc.)

As you can see, while all living beings on earth are vastly different from one another, they have certain basic similarities that tie them together. Our lesson today will focus on one shocking similarity between all three earthen species: the potential to be a man-eater. I’m sure we all have heard of man-eating animals, and even man-eating plants (a misnomer, as plants only “eat” small animals at best, but I digress…). What may not be as apparent, is the reality of another species on this earth with the capacity to feast on men: us. Humans.

[Pause for a brief disclaimer: I am aware that there is a certain usage of the term “man-eater” which speaks of a sexually deviant woman. This is not, however, the way we will be using the term today. Instead, we will be focusing on dealing aggressive behavior toward others.]

It is true that we as humans are known to bite, jab, and claw at one another. In extreme cases, humans behave aggressively toward others with fists and weapons; but more often our aggression comes in the form of petty behaviors: distasteful facial expressions, disagreeable body language, despicable words and detestable actions. In these ways, we attack our fellow man with fatal blows that can destroy friendships, family relationships, and marriages. But wait just a minute. As top species on this earth…as God’s crowning glory of creation…as possessors of soma, soul, and spirit; how can this happen? How can we stoop to engage in man-eating, thus behaving as a lowly plant or animal? Friends, this should not be.

You might be wondering…

How is a man-eater made, and how do I keep from becoming one?

The answer will be threefold. Firstly, H.O.W. a man-eater is made is by…

All’s good in a famine. – Thomas Fuller, M.D., Gnomologia (1732)

Thanks be to God, humans are not considered the natural prey of any wild animal. Yet we all know that desperate times call for desperate measures – especially if you are a predatory beast who lacks the ability to empathize with your victim. Hunger is a ruthless, driving force that can and will cause an animal to attack, kill, and eat a human if necessary. If an individual were to find themselves in the path of a carnivorous wild animal with an empty stomach, that individual would be fair game for a meal. Insatiable hunger (caused by lack of natural prey, etc.) can drive a lion or tiger into a village to grab an easy meal of local residents. Hunger is one way a man-eater is made.

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. – Psalm 34:10

This passage seems a bit unusual, jumping straight from the topic of lions to humans; but is it possible that the Lord was pointing out our tendency to become man-eaters? We humans can often resemble a hungry wild feline. We have a gnawing emptiness in us that longs to be filled. We crave interaction with others, because we are a people made for community. Children who crave attention will often seek out negative attention, because they feel it is better than no attention at all. It is common for adults to fall into the same trap. We try to fill our desire for interaction in negative ways, because we think something is better than nothing.

The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. – Proverbs 27:7

It’s human nature. We’d rather have bitter, unhealthy interactions than no interactions at all. When we are starving, we’ll take what we can get.

You there – the one who loves to argue on social media. The one who cuts down others as entertainment. The one who picks fights with their spouse. The one who is always ranting and complaining about something. The one who gossips. I see you. Sometimes, I am you. Sometimes I crave interaction and I go about getting it in all the wrong ways. You know when I do this? When I allow myself to run on empty. When I haven’t been feasting upon spiritual things like I should be. When I haven’t consumed God’s word. When I haven’t hunted after Him. If I want to avoid becoming a man-eater, I have to fill myself up with the right things…Godly things.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger… – John 6:35a

Secondly, H.O.W. a Man-Eater is Made is by…

Intentions often melt in the face of unexpected opportunity. – Shirley Temple Black, Child Star (1988)

In remote villages where the nearest water source is a river or lake, there is always the dread of being met face to face with a crocodile. It would appear that crocodiles are not too picky when it comes to their prey; they will take any opportunity for a kill, be it wildebeest, zebra, or human. Many unfortunate people in foreign lands have lost their lives merely by attempting to bathe themselves or wash their laundry in a seemingly safe body of water. Disturbing the territory of an opportunist such as the crocodile often has fatal consequences. Opportunity is another way a man-eater is made.

For sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. – Romans 7:11 (NASB)

If the devil can’t tempt us through hunger, he will tempt us through opportunity. Perhaps you’re not one to go looking for trouble like the hungry per se, but what about taking an opportunity for aggression when it is available to you? Do you shun the opportunity, or do you invite it?

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. – Ephesians 4:26-27 (NASB) 

If the waiter gets your order wrong, do you choose to explain the mistake with grace, and wait patiently for it to be corrected? Or do you take the opportunity to complain and make him/her feel like a failure? If a driver rudely cuts you off in traffic, do you give the benefit of the doubt and keep your cool? Or do you use the opportunity to sigh, swear, and use obscene gestures? If your husband lets the children do something you are not on board with, do you take it in stride and acknowledge his place as head of the home? Or do you fight him or perhaps give him the silent treatment until he feels he has no choice but to pander to your irrational behavior? How we choose to respond to frustrations in life will often be the deciding factor in whether or not Satan gets a foothold in our lives.

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. – Galatians 5:13 (NASB)

Thirdly, H.O.W. a man-eater is made is by…

I’ve come to know that what we want in life is the greatest indication of who we really are. – Richard Paul Evans, The Gift (2007)

Of all the man-eating animals that have ever walked upon this earth, none is more dangerous than the one who has acquired a taste for human flesh to the point of want. It might be easy enough to avoid a hungry or opportunistic beast by steering clear of its territory, but what about the animal who keeps coming back for more? The one who relentlessly prowls a village, bent on staying until it finds its next victim? There have been various cases in history of animals getting “hooked on humans”: often the result of scavenging on ill-buried corpses. Whatever the reason, such a predator is not easily prevented without being killed itself. Want is yet another way a man-eater is made.

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. – Ecclesiastes 3:18

Even more reprehensible than man-eating out of hunger and opportunity, is our man-eating out of want. Hunger is a fleshly desire of the soma; opportunity is a social desire of the soul; but want is a devilish desire of the spirit. Like a bloodthirsty man-eater who keeps returning to a village for more, so are we when we seek out aggression for sheer pleasure. The end result is certain death. We tear apart everyone in our path until someone brave enough to stand up to us (God) takes us down.

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that do count it pleasure to riot in the day time. – 2 Peter 2:12-13

Do you enjoy the thrill of a fight? Does it feel good to rant and rave, letting your wrath be known to all when you have been rattled? Do you care more about being “right” and coming out Alpha, than forgiving and forgetting? Do you shut your conscience down when enraged? Do you justify your temporary insanity as “passion”? Are you always the last to apologize, if at all? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may be getting a taste for blood that will be nigh to impossible to shake if you continue on this dangerous path. Now is the time to repent and trade in the old heart of hatred for a new one of love. If Saul, the murderer, could become Paul, the missionary…you can change your course also.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them…They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain… – Isaiah 11:6,9a

In conclusion…

Hunger + Opportunity + Want = H.O.W. a man-eater is made.

Friends, we humans have a privileged position. We are the only creation on this earth that consist of soma, soul, and spirit. May we never squander these gifts and become like a plant or animal, given to aggressive practices. May we rather glorify God and be a people given to peace, security, and love towards our fellow man.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. – Isaiah 35:9-10

For God’s Glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.

Signs of Sleep

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I have come to the borders of sleep,
The unfathomable deep
Forest where all must lose
Their way, however straight,
Or winding, soon or late;
They cannot choose.

Many a road and track
That, since the dawn’s first crack,
Up to the forest brink,
Deceived the travellers,
Suddenly now blurs,
And in they sink.

Here love ends,
Despair, ambition ends;
All pleasure and all trouble,
Although most sweet or bitter,
Here ends in sleep that is sweeter
Than tasks most noble.

There is not any book
Or face of dearest look
That I would not turn from now
To go into the unknown
I must enter, and leave, alone,
I know not how.

The tall forest towers;
Its cloudy foliage lowers
Ahead, shelf above shelf;
Its silence I hear and obey
That I may lose my way

And myself.

– “Lights Out” by Edward Thomas

In life, the activities one may participate in are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Such being the case, an activity that is familiar to me may be quite foreign to you, and vice versa. I have never participated in an organized sport, hiked up a mountain, or sang in front of a crowd. On the other hand, I have played croquet in my front yard, climbed to the top of an ancient ruin, and played “Pomp & Circumstance” on the piano at a high school graduation. We’re all different; we each come with different interests and different opportunities afforded to us. However, one activity (or inactivity, rather?) that every one of us participates in is sleeping.

From the laziest sloth to the most industrious workhorse, sleep overtakes all of us at one point or another. Some seem to need very little sleep to function, while others can never seem to get enough sleep (I fall into this category)…but everybody and every body must have some sleep in order to operate. Physical sleep is a blessing from the Lord to refresh our weary bodies and prepare us for the new day ahead. Like any blessing, we might overuse it and abuse it…but that is not our topic for today. In fact, today’s lesson is not about physical sleep at all; but rather, spiritual sleep. A siesta from the Spirit. A respite from religion. A break from the Book.

Edward Thomas typifies spiritual sleep well in his poem. He speaks of a sleep so inviting that many give up all that is significant to enter therein – in the end, one loses his way and loses himself. This thought should be sobering. Is it indeed possible that you or I are in a spiritual state of slumber? Let us consider four signs of sleep. If we are exhibiting any of the telltale signs, it’s time to wake up!

The first telltale sign of sleep is:

As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. – Proverbs 26:14

Sleeping, in the physical sense, is a time of rest and relaxation for our mind and body. We put all tasks aside and leave them lay at least until we resume wakefulness. Before we fall asleep at night, our mind may wander to all the duties that still need to be done…but once the sandman comes along, all thoughts of work are put on hold until we rise. Moderate rest is healthful and needful; but if one were to sleep incessantly (to the neglect of the morning’s duties) they would quickly find themselves with no motivation, no money, and a strained family life.

Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. – Proverbs 24:33-34

Consider the implications of a prolonged rest from spiritual responsibilities. We can likewise lose our motivation (our sense of belonging and purpose in God’s kingdom), our money (the increase in our spirit and the spirits of others we influence), and a strained family life (being at odds with the brethren for our lack of faithful participation in the work of the church).

What would it look like to be awake to our responsibilities, as opposed to sleeping on the job? Does being wakeful mean that one must never cozy up on the couch with a good book, play a game with their family, or take a trip to the mall with a friend? That every moment must be spent either a) being in worship service, b) praying and reading God’s word, or c) seeking and saving the lost? Not so; even Jesus had need of a breather from time to time (see Luke 6:31FF). However, even during His downtime He was always “on call” for the needs of others, and His spiritual outlook never wavered. For us, being wakeful may look like…

Giving our undivided attention to our spouse and/or children even though we have busied ourselves with something else presently. It may look like staying up a little late Saturday night because we want to fine tune our bible class for the following morning. It may look like sending a verse and a word of encouragement to that one Facebook friend that always seems depressed. It may look like going above and beyond to serve your cranky coworker. None of these things are huge spiritual feats by any means, but it’s all these little things that make up one worthwhile life. Let us be awake and alert for the cause of Christ, and not rest from our responsibilities.

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. – Proverbs 20:13

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. – Proverbs 25:28

When our physical selves are sleeping, we often do things that are out of character for us, and yet completely out of our control. We may sleepwalk, sleep talk, snore, flail about, change positions, and hit the snooze button on our alarm clock without any awareness of having done such. When a loved one brings our strange sleep behavior to our attention, we may be shocked. “I did what?!”

What if we act out accidentally in our spirit? If we allow ourselves to lose control of our actions, who knows what kind of strange and sinful behavior we might display next. We might walk to places we shouldn’t, talk in a manner unfit for a Christian, flail about when angry, change our doctrinal positions, and hit the snooze button on God!

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. – Romans 6:12

It seems ludicrous to think of “acting out accidentally”, but it happens easily when we are filled with self rather than His spirit. I’ve often heard the example of a sponge…when squeezed it simply reveals whatever was inside; and it’s the same way with humans. When we are “squeezed” whatever is inside of us will assuredly make its way to the surface.

When someone offends you, do you burst out with sudden rage? When you find someone attractive, do you gawk at them with lust? When you hurt yourself, does a swear word fly out of your mouth? When the preacher is preaching, do your thoughts wander? These are telltale signs that you have fallen asleep. A Christian ought to be in control of their flesh, but too often the flesh is in control of the Christian! Often this is the result of not enough time in God’s word. Scripture has the power to transform our mind, and the more we fill our thoughts with that which is good and true, the less susceptible we will be to sudden outbursts of sin. Let us take control of our actions so we never act out accidentally.

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest by that any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. – 1 Corinthians 9:27

In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. – John 1:4-5

Physically speaking, when one is sleeping; there is little more obnoxious and intrusive than light shining into the eyes. The darker the room, the worse the light hurts our eyes and the more we want to crawl under the covers and shoo away the culprit who flipped on the light switch.

It is the same way spiritually. When our soul is in deep darkness, we hate for light to shine upon it. It is our nature to “cover” up what is wrong in us, rather than to ‘fess up. We tend to get angry and defensive when someone puts the spotlight on our faults, when what should be doing is opening our eyes and making a change.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, they are wrought in God. – John 3:19-21

If we are of a truthful spirit, we will push through the initial pain of the light shining in our eyes, and adjust our eyes out of the darkness. Just as it is with sleeping in the flesh, it may take a bit to get accustomed to the light after being in darkness for a while, but it won’t be long until the pain is replaced with total acceptance and adjustment. Don’t let a few temporary moments of discomfort keep you from the eternal light of Christ’s love. Humble yourself to see when you are in the wrong, and make a change. True believers do not loathe the light, they love it.

Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. – Ephesians 5:14

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. – Dylan Thomas

For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God. – Ecclesiastes 5:7 (NASB)

We all know the feeling of waking up after an invigorating dream…just before it ends. So disappointing. No matter how hard we try to fall asleep to finish the scene, the dream will not return. What’s more, as we go on with our day; the dream that was so vivid when we first awoke fades from our senses until it is little more than a fuzzy memory. How we wish we could fall back asleep to relive it, but it slips from our grasp.

Spiritually speaking, it can likewise be tempting to chase after dreams as opposed to reality. Perhaps we stumble across a Bible truth that was foreign to us before, and it rubs us the wrong way. What is our reaction? Do we align ourselves with God’s word anyway? Or do we shun reality in favor of falling back into our more agreeable dream? There are many dreamers out there, who form their beliefs on dreams instead of the truth of God’s word. We must not be grouped among them. Dreams leave us empty and unsatisfied.

It shall even be as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetitite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. – Isaiah 29:8

We must be very careful with the teachings we allow to enter our hearts; whether they be by way of religious writings such as tracts and devotionals, or televangelists, preachers, friends, family, or any other means. Measure all you take in by the standard of God’s word. If it doesn’t match up, then out it goes. Let us live in the reality of God’s truth, not in a dream of man’s making.

I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. – Jeremiah 23:25-28

To sleep — perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come – Shakespeare, Hamlet

In conclusion…

Do you rest from responsibilities? Do you act out accidentally? Do you loathe the light? Do you desire to dream? If so, I’m afraid that you may have fallen asleep on the Christian’s job. It’s time to wake up! Consider this your call, my friend.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. – 1 Thessalonians 4:5-6

For God’s Glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.

Hindsight is 2020

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A singing-bird was confined in a cage which hung outside a window, and had a way of singing at night when all other birds were asleep. One night a Bat came and clung to the bars of the cage, and asked the Bird why she was silent by day and sang only at night. “I have a very good reason for doing so,” said the Bird: “it was once when I was singing in the daytime that a fowler was attracted by my voice, and set his nets for me and caught me. Since then I have never sung except by night.” But the Bat replied, “It is no use your doing that now when you are a prisoner: if only you had done so before you were caught, you might still have been free.”

Precautions are useless after the event.

– “The Cage-Bird and The Bat”, a fable of Aesop

I am not sure where the quote originated, but it has been said that there are five things that can not be taken back: a stone after it is thrown, a word once it is spoken, an occasion once it is missed, an action when it is done, and time once it has passed. Aesop summarized these truths well in the fable above; it is far better to exercise wisdom sooner than later…before it fails to make a difference.

We are entering into a new decade…starting with the year 2020. This brings to my mind the words I have heard time and time again over the course of my life: Hindsight is 2020. A phrase people often use in a sense of regretful remembrance, “Hindsight is 2020” simply means that we often don’t see the consequences of our choices clearly until after we have reaped them. “If only I knew then what I know now”, we all think at one point or another, “I would have done some things differently”.

Of course there is no use dwelling on our past missteps unless it is to grow and learn from them. But how can we help those younger or less experienced than ourselves to avoid following the wrong path; from making the same poor choices many of us have made? This month I have asked myself again and again: what advice would I give to a younger me? What would I tell her so that she would step wisely in her youth?

This article is my answer. Today I share with you 20 things I would tell myself 20 years ago…

*note: for the sake of space saving, the Bible verse associated with each point will be in parenthesis with a direct link to the passage. To get the most out of this lesson, I would encourage you to read each one as time allows!

#1. Find Your Action
Make the most of the time you have been given. Plan for the future, but don’t live exclusively in it. Life is happening right now. Hone a skill, invest in a hobby, learn new facts…don’t just survive – thrive in the season you are in. (Proverbs 4:25)

#2. Find Your Admiration
Consider those in your life who most closely emulate God, and watch them closely. How do they react to negative treatment? What do they do in the face of temptation? How do they spend their time? Strive to mold yourself after their exemplary behavior. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

#3. Find Your Adoption
Get close to your Father in Heaven. Pore over His word and get to know Him with all your heart while time is on your side. Strengthen your bond with Him by praying continually. The relationship you build early will help to sustain you through later seasons of busyness. (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

#4. Find Your Appreciation
Gratitude is an important virtue in the life of a Christian! Be thankful for the things you are given, as well as the things you already possess. These things may be material items, or they may be blessings in your life that are invisible to the naked eye: such as God’s grace, the love of family and friends, a sound mind, etc. We aren’t *entitled* to any of these things, and we should feel, show, and verbalize appreciation for them often!
(Psalm 100:4)

#5. Find Your Caution
For every good and honest man, there are 999 tricksters waiting to deceive you. Don’t fall for every line some cute boy whispers in your ear…let the fruit of a guy’s actions speak for his character, and consider the advice of wise counselors who notice red flags. (1 John 3:7)

#6. Find Your Conviction
As you mature, it is vital to be building your own faith instead of borrowing your parents’. Don’t merely take someone else’s word for what the Bible says…study it for yourself and make sure your life matches up to what you read in the scriptures. Even if you have to step out alone, do the right thing and follow God with total fervency. Ignore the naysayers. (Luke 14:26)

#7. Find Your Devotion
Be a person who is all in with commitments. Whether it comes to our relationships with friends and family, our attitude towards the church, our attitude towards our jobs, or most of all, our relationship with the Lord; if we have a true-blue, faithful spirit, our rewards will be great. Those who possess an unfaithful spirit burn every bridge until they are at last alone and miserable. Those who endure hardships and stay true to the end will find light at the end of their every tunnel. (Psalm 31:23)

#8. Find Your Discretion
Secrets divulged are not soon forgotten, and people who know too much can form powerful weapons against you. Even a well-trusted friend can mishandle information when pressed, so it is often best to have a level of mystery when it comes to matters of great personal importance. Give your deepest, darkest secrets to God…His knowledge of you is enough.
(Proverbs 2:11)

#9. Find Your Education
Consider what you really want to learn, and go for it! Not only do young brains retain the most information, but those in their youth often have more time to dedicate to learning. Maybe you want to learn to play an instrument, or speak a foreign language, or how to cook, or play a sport. Whatever it is that intrigues you, take the time to educate yourself…you may learn a skill that will be a joy to you for years to come.
(Ecclesiastes 9:10)

#10. Find Your Emotion
Teach yourself early what is and isn’t worth getting upset over. Discipline your thoughts to accept circumstances less than your ideal. Plans will be cancelled. People will hurt your feelings. Dreams will fall by the wayside. We can still choose joy and rise above the pain of the moment.
(Proverbs 15:15)

#11. Find Your Fiction
Read, read, read. Good, wholesome books will build character and leave a lasting impression on your psyche long after the cover is closed. Books open our mind to the world of valor and virtue, helping us rise to the heights of our favorite heroes from tales tucked away in our heart forever.
(Job 19:23-24)

#12. Find Your Identification
It’s easy to get wrapped up in what everyone else thinks about us, to the point that we are afraid to show any originality and end up following the herd. If we are talking about matters of opinion (not matters of sin), grow a backbone and be yourself! Whether we’re talking about taste in music, books, movies, clothing, hobbies, art, etc.; express yourself and don’t worry about what the “popular crowd” thinks of your style. (Romans 14:5-6)

#13. Find Your Meditation
Set aside a special place for yourself to reset and recharge. Even the most extroverted person can benefit from some mindful time alone each day. It’s important to take a break from the constant influx of conversation and information (sans the electronics!) and simply think to oneself peacefully. It does a world of good for our mental well-being. (Ecclesiastes 4:6)

#14. Find Your Nation
Place an appropriate level of importance on current events and the state of your country. This doesn’t mean living and breathing politics; but it does mean exercising wise judgment in choosing our country’s leaders, and taking an active role (however minor) in keeping wickedness in high places to a minimum. (Philippians 2:15)

#15. Find Your Nutrition
Old habits die hard, and bad eating habits formed early are no exception. Learn to acquire a taste for wholesome, nutritious foods and lots of water! Be sure and allow for moderation, though…don’t be so uptight and strict that your diet becomes a hindrance to yourself and others, but make it a point to eat healthfully more often than not. (3 John 1:2)

#16. Find Your Occupation
Begin thinking early of how you wish to make a living in this world, and what you need to accomplish in order to reach that goal. Many today change their major multiple times, drop in and out of college, and jump from job to job; merely because their effort to plan was minimal. Flying by the seat of one’s pants is no way to get by in life…take interest in your future. (Proverbs 14:23)

#17. Find Your Pollution
Be completely honest with yourself about your temptations and weaknesses. The sooner you come to terms with what’s wrong in you, the sooner you can set to turning things right. Don’t take the easy road and justify your sin, but accept what God has to say on the matter and start cleaning house! (Job 13:23)

#18. Find Your Section
Fair-weather friends are a dime a dozen, but true friends are a rare and precious commodity. A few traits of a faithful friend: one who is not ashamed of you in the presence of others, but is proud to acknowledge and include you; one who is there for you in your best times and worst times; one who is not afraid to call you out when you’re making bad choices. (Proverbs 17:17)

#19. Find Your Station
Join yourself to a local assembly of those who follow Christ’s teachings…His church. Just as a limb can not survive apart from the physical body, neither can a Christian survive apart from the body of Christ. Determine what your unique talents are, and roll up your sleeves and get to work right alongside your brethren! They need you, and you need them.
(1 Corinthians 12:18-20)

And the most important of all…

#20. Find Your Transformation
Above all else, be sure that you have been saved according to the pattern in scripture…that you indeed become a new creation for the Lord. Hear the word of the Lord, and believe on Him. Confess His name with your lips, and make your life a continual confession of Him. Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins. Nothing else matters without Jesus. He is life.
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

In conclusion…

Don’t forget the tale of the cage-bird and the bat! As we enter this new decade, may your foresight be 2020.

May you find: Your action. Your admiration. Your adoption. Your appreciation. Your caution. Your conviction. Your devotion. Your discretion. Your education. Your emotion. Your fiction. Your identification. Your meditation. Your nation. Your nutrition. Your occupation. Your pollution. Your section. Your station. Your transformation!

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. – 1 John 2:14

For God’s Glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.