I’ve always been bad at New Year’s resolutions. This could possibly be because I’ve never really made any. Up to this year I’ve always just watched the ball drop and started January 1 with whatever it brought. The hardest part of coming into a New Year has always been trying to not write the previous year down when writing the date on school assignments.

As I approach 2013, however, there are some things that I would like to accomplish before 2014 arrives. So, trying to make a few changes, here are some goals I would like to see happen in my life in 2013:

1. Grow in Christ – The year this is not a resolution will be the year that I am wrong for not including it. I believe that one’s faith can only grow stronger (could be both positively and negatively) as life goes on. I hope to seek Christ in new ways this year and continue to grow in both spiritual formation and in sharing the Gospel message. May everything that I do this year flow out of my calling from my Savior!

2. Lose Weight –  I know, I know, this is the age old New Year’s resolution that will be set by thousands across the globe as January 1 dawns. At least I can take solace in the fact that I won’t be one of those rushing to set up a gym membership for the new year (mainly because I’ve had one for the past year and a half!). This resolution is probably the hardest to keep for me. However, this is the best chance I have to complete this goal. For one, I’m not getting any younger (before you start your yammerin’, I’m well aware that I am only 25 but I also know that it gets harder to lose weight as one gets older.) 2013 could be a great year to meet this goal because of two reasons: my wife and Weight Watchers. Heather is important because she has a similar goal and Weight Watchers because I know that I can do it and lose weight while doing it (because I’ve done it before!). This resolution includes both diet (WW) and more exercise. I would like to enter 2014 healthier with weight not being a concern! (WW calls this “maintaining”). I’m just glad to be feeling this need before I get to a scarier place!

3. Graduate – 2013 brings my 8th full semester of Divinity school and I’ve loved and learned a lot over my time as a student. That being said, (though not rushing it) I think it is time to close that chapter in my life and move forward to something else. I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to good friends (maybe “family” is a better word), but I think, at least for some time, it is time to not be a student. My resolution is that 2013 will see me walk the stage again at Campbell.

4. Seek the Future –  This is a big one with the most mystery. I know that, short of traveling in time, one is not afforded a view of one’s future. We must step out on faith seeking direction and where God is calling us to go. I know that my 3 year internship will end August 2014 but I would imagine that the question of “what’s next?” will come next year. I love the work God is doing in Greenville and my part in it, and would love to be a part of it for a while, but I also need to focus on years in the future: what’s next in education? family? ministry? These are all questions I do not expect to be answered in 2013, but I would like to at least seek a direction in the New Year.

5. Financial Stability – If this is to be the year of graduation it will also be the year of student loans. I would like to see us grow even more financially stable and be able to be more comfortable in this area. With one of us still working part time it can be difficult some months but God has continued to provide and I know, together, we can do anything! (Especially with a little help from Dave Ramsey! :) )

I’m excited to see what God is going to do in and through my life in 2013!  Hope you’ll join me on the journey.