As a new year begins, it is a great time to look back at where we have been, to appreciate where we are now, and to look forward to what the next year might hold for us. For me, it is a time of reflection, thankfulness, and confidence.
As I reflect on where I have been, I am in awe of how the Lord provided for me. It has not always been easy, and at times it seemed unbearable, but the Lord has carried me through and I am a stronger person because of the faithfulness and grace that He has shown me through adversity. He has provided growth in those seasons through the lessons I learned and the amazing people in my life who walked through those tough seasons with me. I have also been provided experiences in the last few years that most can only dream of to travel the world and to meet and learn from people with more need than I have ever known and with a Joy from the Lord that I can only aspire to experience.
Blessed. This is the word that comes to mind when I pause to think about my current season of life. I am so thankful for the place that the Lord has brought me to physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The people that God has brought into my life both encourage and refine me on a daily basis. I also have a unique opportunity through my role at Adventures in Missions to work in a capacity that allows me to serve in support of a mission that is much greater than myself . . . equipping a generation of individuals to expand the Kingdom of God on this earth. The reach of this organization is growing exponentially and the potential of that growth to impact more people in more places in more ways just blows my mind.
I look forward into this new year with confidence. I have confidence that the Lord will remain faithful in my life as He has in the past. I have confidence that the people in my life have been brought there for a reason and that though I may never know His purpose behind those relationships, they are part of His plan for me. I have confidence that the Lord is using my work according to His plan for impacting the nations even if I do not always see the fruits of the labor. I have confidence that there is so much that He has for me that is far better than anything that I could do apart from him.
I encourage all of you to take some time as this new year begins to reflect on what the Lord has brought you through, to appreciate where He has you now, and to look forward in faith to all that He has planned for you.
