2020 Bucket List

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“What will I write on the bucket list page of my new planner?” I asked myself earlier today after jotting down some notes.

I have a lot of plans for myself this year. I was supposed to finish my prerequisite subjects in my masters so that I could already begin with my thesis by first semester of 2020. But God led me to quit school so that I could send my younger brother to college instead. I thought I will be marching down the aisle this year and find myself becoming a wife to my first (and I dream of being the last) boyfriend. But God caused us to undergo a renovation of the heart for us to love Him more than we love each other. I was about to proceed to law after finding out that my scholarship has long been waiting for me. But God granted me repentance and I found God’s justification to be of more value to me than justifying people on court in the years to come. I’ve had so many plans for myself. I’ve had goals. I was supposed to be living the life I planned to have years ago. But God’s plan surpassed mine – plans which are for my welfare and not for evil, to give me hope and a future.

I could make new plans for myself this year. I could quit teaching and go somewhere else where I could begin a new career. I could get married before 2020 ends if my boyfriend of one year and seven months will ask me to. I could come home, send my brother back to my parents and finish my masters. I could follow my plans, disobey God and mess up my life big time. But I won’t. I’d still choose to follow Christ even if it means denying myself and taking up my cross daily. For even if I think I am saving my life by doing what I want, I’d still end up losing it. But if I lose it for the sake of following Christ; then, I am actually saving it. For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses of forfeits himself, indeed?

This year, it is my desire to be conformed to Christ and be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Walking in the Spirit in order for me to not gratify the desires of my flesh may be tough; but, by the power of the Spirit who is in me, I know I can. How I’d love to raise my hallelujahs louder than my fears. Yes, I am choosing to press on, to run the race that is set before us, and to live my life solely for Christ alone.

As for my bucket list, it will all be for the purpose of abiding in Christ – my Lord and Savior.


Just as there's bright and dark clouds above me on this photo, I know that God will remain faithful in both the bright and dark days of my life this year. 


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