New Year’s Eve Encouragement

New Year’s Eve. The day we say goodbye to the year that was, and prepare to say hello to the year that will be. A time to reflect, and a time to look ahead. This year was like no other. (Granted, you could say that about every year but, yeah…2020.)

It’s safe to say many, if not most, will be eager to forget about this past year and move forward to whatever may be ahead in 2021. I understand, as this was a very difficult and challenging year in many ways, here. If it was a rough one for you, I am so sorry. Losses have been plentiful for so many – whether it has been loss of life, employment, activities, etc.

But, as we start to fix our gaze upon the seemingly “can’t be any worse” year ahead and the hope of a better 12 months to come and try to just sweep 2020 under the rug…I’m going to challenge you to do something.

Think about what you can take with you from this past year. As in, focus just for a few moments on what you’ve gained or learned or been blessed with in 2020. The list might be short, I get it. But, my guess is there’s something you can put on this list.

Something you’ve made it through this year has made you stronger. Something you learned about yourself can be used for good. Something you gave of yourself will be returned, with interest. Something you struggled with will be used to help others, through your experience with it. Your hardships will lead to healing and your story might just be the very thing used to bring breakthrough to someone else’s life, someday.

This isn’t being written to say everything’s alright or that we should all just be fine. Just wanted to encourage you today, because I still believe everything happens for a reason and I believe the tough times in our lives are ultimately used for a greater glory. And, in the end, it is well.

Happy New Year to you. May 2021 be the best year of your life.

Breakthrough

“Breakthrough begins where my excuses end.”

Are you waiting for a breakthrough in your life? The sentence above might not be what you’re looking to hear, but I’ll bet it rings true the more you think about it. It sure does for me.

Isn’t it true we make so many excuses for the things we feel we can’t overcome? I do it all the time. Let me know if any of this sounds familiar:

God, there’s no way this could possibly change or get better. I’m not worthy of Your grace. My past is too messed up to have a bright future. You could never understand. I really want things to change but it’s impossible, this is just the way it is and always will be. It would be too hard to do what it takes to really see change happen. Why haven’t You given me a breakthrough?

“Could it be possible that while you’re waiting for God to come down, God is waiting for you to get up? Maybe breakthrough doesn’t begin when your situation changes, but when you make a determination within yourself, ‘I’m not blaming anybody, I’m not waiting for anyone, I don’t need my situation to change. God change me, that’s my prayer. God change me. Do a work in me. Living Water, spring up a well within my soul.’ And God says, this is the place where breakthrough begins – not with them, not with it, with Me. Do a work in me, God. I’m ready!”

This message from Pastor Steven Furtick challenges me and I wanted to share it with you. Perhaps you need the same challenge right now.

Let’s challenge ourselves to be the change we are seeking in our lives. Let’s not sit idly another day. Let’s believe God wants us to get up, instead of waiting for Him to come down. God, change me…I’m ready!

Have a great day.