I want to invest.

But not financially.

Although, it wouldn’t hurt if I made a point to invest more money in tuition and less on overpriced coffee like the ones above, as lovely and photogenic as they are.

I don’t really understand financial stuff—at all. Loans, mortgages, interest rates, and okay, I’m already starting to feel my heartbeat pick up speed. I’m a junior in college and to be honest, I don’t know how I made it this far without filing for bankruptcy (I buy more coffee than I should). However, my dad always told me I should work at a bank. Not because I’m good with money, but because apparently, you can make a lot of it there.

But that’s not what my 2017 word means; I’m not really talking about investing money.

Invest (v):

to use, give, or devote (time, talent, etc.), as for a purpose or to achieve something.

But this next definition is my favorite:

to cover completely.

What do I want to cover completely? What do I want to use, give, or devote myself to? I think these two verses tell us.

Before I invest in something this year, I want to ask myself,

“Is this a long-term investment?”

In other words: Am I investing in something eternal that will last forever, or something worldly that will eventually fade?

After thinking about it for a while, here are my two ‘long-term’ investments.

My soul.

Thank goodness my frizzy hair will not last forever. Neither will new cars, likes on Instagram, or even a dream career.

But my soul does, so I will cover it with God’s truth and grace. I will cover it with a love that never leaves me shivering or wanting more. I will invest my time in writing and praying and singing praises when I’m alone in the car. I will invest in resting, but I will also invest in doing. I will cover my soul in care.

Because once my soul is invested in, then I can full-heartedly invest in other people’s souls.

Other souls.

I will invest time in old souls, but also time in meeting new ones. I will use the gifts God gave me to cover them with blessings. I will invest in actually praying for others and not just saying I will. I will cover them in timely compliments, but also in tender criticism when needed. But most importantly, and above all else, I will cover them with love.

—

I can’t help but think that God made kind of a bad investment. He invested in us knowing that we might never return to him. Regardless, He sent Jesus to cover us completely with his perfect blood.

Now our sins are paid in full. I’m no banker, but I do know what that means.

We can live debt free because He thought we were worth the price. So for 2017 and the rest of my life, I will invest myself in Him—I owe him that much.

Molly

“Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23