There’s a story in the book of Luke I grew up hearing and for some reason it always confused me. In the story Jesus and his disciples climbed into a boat and began to sail across a lake. As they sailed Jesus fell asleep and as he slept a huge storm fell over the lake that threatened the lives of everyone in the boat. The disciples realizing that they could not handle the situation on their own, woke Jesus up, and using just his words, he silenced the storm. This was the part that always confused me. I never understood how a God who had the power to quiet storms, and raise people from the dead allowed bad things to happen to his children. I never understood why he could let the “storm” go on in our lives, while he would silence the “storms” in the lives of other people. I became frustrated, because I knew that he could, he was just saying “no” anytime I asked.Then one day I realized something: I am not the CEO. As a child of God I dont have the right to demand to see his plans or demand for him to change them. For all the days that I feel alone, and abandoned I have to remember that I am not in control, and that it’s not about me. The God that we as Christians serve is all knowing, and he has a plan for our lives. Always. Romans 19:7 says "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." We may not know why we are struggling, but our God knows what He is doing. He won’t give us anything we can’t handle and wouldn’t let us struggle for no reason. When God puts us through something it isn’t for no reason. It is because it is to bring us, and others closer to Him.
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StableDiffusion
Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face
StableDiffusionThis tradition is meant to drive away bad spirits of the past, but honestly, it's more like a free concert...your friends should really be paying you for your services if you decide to do this on New Year's Eve.
Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket
StableDiffusionIt's been sitting there since what, 8:00? You snooze you lose, and besides, no one's paying attention to you anyway.
Pop Twelve White Grapes
StableDiffusionIf you were in Spain, everyone would be doing just this. One grape for every month of the year. It's supposed to be lucky and stuff.
Burn Something
Photo by Ian Schneider on UnsplashIt's really not that odd-- families in Ecuador burn scarecrows every year on New Year's Eve. It's a symbol of diminishing the negativity of last year. Perhaps preform this one outside though, just to be safe of course.
Smash Things Against a Wall
Photo by Lidye on UnsplashWe can thank the Irish for this bright idea, they use bread specifically though. Who knows why this is a tradition, but it certainly seems like it could be incredibly soothing, don't you think?
Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig
Photo by Melissa Askew on UnsplashThis isn't lucky or symbolic of anything, but it'll give you something to do at the stroke of midnight and you'll look god damn cool doing it.
Call Your Mother
rotary telephone
Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on UnsplashWell, she did give birth to you. Midnight on New Year's Eve seems as good a time as any to thank her.
Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window
Photo by Kinga Howard on UnsplashAccording to South African tradition, it doesn't necessarily have to be a coffee table. It could be a futon, an ottoman, an armoire, really any piece of furniture that's old. It's for luck of course.
Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs
Photo by Chang Duong on UnsplashChannel your inner Beyonce, or Mariah, or whoever your Pop Star Diva Queen is and belt that tune. It'll be fantastic mood music.
Do Some Squats
Photo by Meghan Holmes on UnsplashMay as well start the New Year off by working on your inevitable resolution to drop some pounds. Why waste a single moment, you're likely forget the resolution by February anyway.
Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water
Photo by Brayden Prato on UnsplashAnother foreign tradition, this one is practiced by Germans. The kick of it is, you've got to do it while holding a lit torch. Again, who knows why this is a tradition, but its certainly sounds like a fun little challenge to ring in the New Year.
Take a Shot
Photo by Duri from Mocup on UnsplashAnd by shot, naturally I mean a snapshot. Perhaps a group photo, a selfie, or even an unfortunate snipe of your best friend. You'll feel loads better knowing you'll have something to always remember the first moments of 2025 by.
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