There’s nothing particularly special or magical about January 1st. Dates at their very essence are nothing more than a human construct designed to keep track of the passage of time. January 1st has no more significance in it than simply having to tear off another page in your calendar (or buy a new one). As many can probably attest to — myself included — it doesn’t make profound life changes any easier to stick with than any other time of the year.

What I do find helpful about celebrating the New Year, though, is that it serves as a marker for me to look back and see what I’ve learned in the past year.

In the past 365 days God has taught me:

  1. To move on from pain without self-loathing and/or bitterness; to love and trust in spite of pain.
  2. To let thoughtful silence and silent actions speak louder than my words.
  3. To speak the truth in love without fear.
  4. To take giant leaps of faith when I’m afraid.
  5. To be aware of the difficult balance between seeking the will of God and exercising the amazing freedom He’s given to me.
  6. To see challenging and difficult people as merely human…broken souls who need a saviour, just like me.
  7. To set boundaries and admit my own limitations without shame.
  8. To be more concerned about honoring God than pleasing people.
  9. To trust God in the face of the unknown…to make decisions guided by the wisdom of His word and not always expecting to have a clear path laid out in front of me.
  10. To let go of the parts of myself that are stuck in the past…the ones that keep me from living in the present and being excited about the future.

This past year has, by far, been the most amazing one of my life — forming dozens of real, meaningful friendships; waking up every morning excited to go to work; having a sense of purpose and meaning in my job; witnessing and hearing countless jaw-dropping stories; enjoying the privilege of being used by God to touch people’s lives on a daily basis; getting to use my creativity for Him in so many different ways… It’s unbelievable how God’s goodness has just been more and more apparent with every passing day.

2015 is going to be a tough one to beat, but I’m more than certain that God has even more surprises in store for 2016.

You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Psalm 118:28-29