A new year always has this air of promise. As it gets closer, I get more and more excited. I even find myself holding on to things until January 1. Like habits that I want to implement, projects I want to start, or decisions I want to make. Some of it is because December has enough on its plate and I want to give proper attention to these new ideas and undertakings. The rest is because I like fresh starts and what’s fresher than a new year? Each year will only come once and I get to choose how it will be defined. I get giddy at the thought of having a new verse to focus on in the coming year. I also get a new word. I line up new goals and challenge myself to grow in certain areas. I am not a resolution person per se. I don’t vow to do a certain task every day or on the regular. But I like to cast vision for the year. I strive to evolve into more of who I am created to be. I pick up new habits and drop bad ones over the course of the year. I am fully successful and partially lacking in different areas by the end of the year.
2014 gave birth to dreams that had been long buried in my heart. I stepped out in faith and trampled fears as I released my first devotional in eBook format in April—just a few days after my thirtieth birthday (click here). My goal was not to be a best seller, but to finish a book and get it out there. It felt better than I could have imagined just to have something complete! It gave me the momentum I needed to keep writing and I completed my second one and it released on December 9th (click here). During that release, I decided to make my first, Friendship: Four Week Mini Bible Study free on Kindle for five days. During that time, a well-known blogger by the name of Money Saving Mom picked up on it and included it in her list of 10 free kindle books. Over the course of a few days I receive over 4,000 downloads!!
Now this may not seem like a big deal to some, but to me it was HUGE! This year, I stepped out and began living out my dream—my calling in life. The thing that make me come alive. I am not sure I am articulating it properly, but if you have found your thing, you know. The feeling is addicting and you feel a little sick in the heart if you neglect the thing for very long. With shaky, timid hands I wrote that first devotional. I know it is not my best work, but it is telling of where I am in the journey. I released it trusting God to use it however he sees fit. The week it went free, it got out to over 4,000 people. In this event I hear Holy Spirit saying, “Your work matters. Thanks for stepping out. The best is yet to come.”
In the new year, I want to talk about digging in to find your thing. I believe it starts with a purging of distractions. If you want to go on that journey with me, I invite you to visit the blog frequently. Subscribe to make it easier. I will be journaling in the blog section as frequently as I can from January 4th through the 25th. This is our 21 days of prayer and fasting at our church. I plan to fast and will be seeking God’s will and vision for the year. I encourage you to do the same thing. It really gives clarity and drive to the coming year. It also give space for Holy Spirit to speak life and encouragement over your life. You will get some of your best ideas in this space. Now that is not why I do it—it is a great side effect though. The fast is no joke either. It will test you and show you that the body is vying for top position. The flesh needs to submit to the spirit as does our soul (emotions). This season gives you an opportunity to reset the chain of command. You can fast many things. In the past I have fasted sugar and coffee. I am still praying and asking about this coming year. I am pretty sure I know what it will be, but I will share that on the first day of the fast.
So let’s get serious about partnering with God in the coming year—or let’s kick it up a notch. You can connect with me here in the comments below, or make sure to follow me on all the available social media channels. We are better together!
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