I failed a lot in 2017. My nature is to run from that – to run in a scramble to fix my failures. To run in desperation to repair the damaged relationships left in the wake of my incompetence – relationships with others and with myself.

I don’t feel I can trust myself as much anymore; at least, not in the way I believed I needed to. I diligently followed the parts of the Bible that tell us to work and obey without fully comprehending the parts that remind us of our own ignorance.

I can’t personally know what commitments to myself or others I will ultimately carry out. Nor can I predict circumstances which might hinder my ability to perform tasks I feel responsible to accomplish. I can’t add even an hour to my life (Luke 12:25). I don’t know the day or the hour (Matt 25:13). Tomorrow is not promised (James 4:13-14).

Work, yes. That is in the Bible, too. As we live within each moment, it’s our job to follow through on whatever our current path holds – with the understanding that the path may take abrupt turns at any moment, and when those turns take place, our responsibilities change as well. God does not throw us curve-balls and expect us to carry the burden of two fates. Old wineskins cannot hold new wine (Mark 2:22).

I failed a lot this year because my life now does not match the goals I set a year ago, a season ago, a month ago, or even a week ago. How could I have expected it to? Lives are ever changing and mine is no exception. Our God would be very small indeed if His omnipotence did not allow for this. Of course, He is also omniscient, and so He does.

God is also omnipresent and with us for every step of these paths. That includes 2018 and far, far beyond.

May we continue to fail in futures that no longer fit and succeed in placing all faith, hope and love in God.