When reflecting on the past year, I realize 2016 was an interesting one for me. Last year whenever I wrote a blog post about the upcoming year, I was excited and thrilled for 2016. I knew I would have my ups and downs, but I didn't expect it to be like it was.
I experienced a lot of hurt and disappointment throughout the year. Whether it was with my writing, a guy that I thought liked me, relationships in my life, and the list goes on. I think in some way we all had our fair share in 2016.
2016 was also a year of change. Change is something that scares me. I like what's familiar to me.. I like knowing what's going to happen next. I find mystery and the unknown to be intriguing, but when it comes to me and my future, I become panicked. The amount of pressure and stress I have on me right now is insane. With each year that I get older, the fear continues to grow.
2016 started my senior year. It has been so bittersweet already. My decision for my future is being thrust upon me so fast that I feel like I'm uncertain about what I'm supposed to do. I'm just relieved that I have been raised up in God's Word. I have been fortunate and blessed to have had the Word poured into me from such an early age. I know this upcoming year is going to be sowing the seed that has been planted in me, and watching as it grows.
Even though 2016 didn't go as planned, it wasn't all bad. My faith grew tremendously, as I had to battle things that I never saw coming and never thought I would have to battle. The battle isn't over, but I won't give up hope that I will see the other side. Friendships have faded, maybe for the best, and new friendships have blossomed. I have experienced so much love and joy by the people in my life. But more than that, I have experienced the love of Jesus like never before. I can't even listen to worship music these days without feeling like my heart is going to explode in love. He has become that real and personal to me now.
I firmly believe 2017 is going to be just as stressful and wonderful for me as 2016 was. It's the year that I end my high school journey and begin my new journey in college. I think it will be a good change for me. My desires and dreams are growing everyday, and I hope to make them come alive and leave a mark on our world.
But above all, what I want most from this next year is more Jesus. I want to surround myself with people who are going to build me up and increase my faith. I long for that accountability like none other. I want those who are lost out there to find a home in Jesus. The kind of home I have found, my own kind of hiding place. I can honestly say I wouldn't be the kind of person I am if I didn't have His love and security.
And now to my readers, please hear me out. This next year, pursue Him more than ever. There are so many people out there who are afraid right now. They don't understand why Donald Trump won the Presidency, they don't understand that God wanted more for America than Hillary Clinton. But we know. We know our God lives and He reigns above all things of this world. Change in America is happening. We have to show the world what God is doing. The change will be evident in the lives of those who are willing to listen to God's voice and move when He tells us to move.
I want to be used by God. I want to give my whole heart, not just bits and pieces. I want to write things that ultimately glorify Him alone. It's not about me anymore, it's about something bigger than that.
With everything going on in the world right now, we need people who hunger for more. The ones with passion and love burning in their heart. It's time we rise above all the hatred, and love the people around us--really, truly love them. Lewis Carroll once said, "One of the deep secrets in life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others."
It's easy to read stuff like this and think, "oh yeah, I'm in. I want to make a difference." But do we really take it a step further and actually work to make it a reality? I can assure you that your life will radically change for the better when you set your heart on focus on the things above.
2017 is a fresh start, a chance to become everything you were created to be. It's a season of new beginnings, and I'm praying for every person who happens to stumble upon this blog post. You are bold, strong, and worthy of a happy and successful life. This year could either be the best year of your life, or the worst. The choice is ultimately up to you. You get the choice to wake up each day, and love those around you and build them up. You can let go of toxic relationships and people who are holding you back from your true potential.
What you make of this year will determine the course of where your life is heading. The question to ask yourself is simple. What kind of mark am I going to leave this year?
