A new year often comes with anticipation, resolutions, and a lot of new. For me along with all of that comes a little bit of fear. I start to wonder, “what’s going to happen this year?” “How do I make this year better than the last?” “what do I want my goals to be?” “What should I change?” “Where should I start?”  Then came along this blog. I won’t lie, this is one of the most intimidating things I’ve ever done, but while I do have my hesitations, I also have a lot of anticipation and expectancy that something great is going to come of this. What makes me the most nervous about a “new year” or anything “new” for that matter, is normally that means something uncomfortable comes along with it. Stepping out of my comfort zone is not my favorite thing to participate in, but I do believe it is necessary in order to move forward in life.

So with that being said, here I am, palms sweating and heart beating really fast, starting a blog. But not just a blog about my life in particular, instead it’s about what decisions I’ve made to get here, how my life is currently being shaped, and how the Lord has brought me to where I am. 

I go through good and bad times just like anyone else. I get stressed out about the big things, and the little things. I like to watch movies, eat ice cream, take road trips, hang out with my friends, and laugh a lot. I go to college, I teach dance, and I love Jesus. I believe in his word, I stand firmly on it, and I trust in what it says. I use it as a foundation, and do my best to let him guide me in all the decisions I make, even this one. And while this is uncomfortable for me, I hope and pray that my words will encourage someone else. That my step of faith, my “something new” would be just want someone needed that day as a reminder that they are not alone, and that there are other people out there trying to figure out this life, just like they are.

So I challenge you to think about these questions: Where is a place you need to step out of your comfort zone? What do you want your 2019 to look like? Is the Lord asking for something new from you? I know it’s scary, but trust me when I say, no matter how uncomfortable it may seem, taking a step for the Lord is always worth it.

“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)

So here’s to 2019, to stepping out of our comfort zone, and to something new. 

“We need to be willing to get out of our place of comfort and move into areas of discomfort for the sake of others, and the gospel of Jesus” 

xx- Nicole