If you’re anything like me, you probably felt like December came and went faster than you hoped. Now, you’re into the new year, and it feels like time is moving fast. Usually, with the coming of the new year comes the expectation that our lives will change. Perhaps you’re the kind of person that tries to honor your New Year’s resolutions, if not for the entire year, at least until February. Perhaps some of you did away with making a list for fear of failure or the lack of interest to even make a list because “things will always be the same.”

It is possible that everything will stay the same or that everything will change. When 2016 was coming to a close I never thought life would change so drastically as it did in 2017. Without making this list longer than it needs to be these are some of the things that happened to me in 2017.

  1. I lost my father to a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
  2. I was hired as your Success Coach at Biola University.
  3. I finished my education and earned a master’s degree of divinity.
  4. I purchased a new vehicle.
  5. I finished my first year as co-lead pastor at my local church.

Things changed so much for me last year that it would be a lie if I didn’t admit that I felt fear, worry, anxiety, depression, joy, excitement and hope.

I don’t know if you have written down your new year's resolutions, goals or expectations of yourself for this year. Perhaps you did or perhaps you didn’t. Nevertheless, I encourage you to find a key verse, phrase or word that will define your 2018. For example, I have chosen the word “courage” because I believe no matter what comes my way this year I will face every situation with courage. I pray you find the verse, phrase or word that will encourage you as you face your situation.

Psalm 31: 24 states, “So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!” (NLT)



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