It’s a new year! Where will you go? What will you take with you?

And what will you leave behind as you journey ahead?

You can tuck the sweet memories you want to hold onto inside your suitcase, keeping them close.

You can let go of the painful moments that threaten to imprison you for the next twelve months. You don’t need to tote the negative things into the new year – the way others let you down, how your dreams fell short, or how you’re not where you thought you’d be right now.

Those things do not define who you are or the rest of your journey.

This is a new adventure. A brand new start. A time to shine. Months of opportunities to do good are up ahead.

This can be the beginning of healing for your broken heart.

You can carry lots of things into the new year. Choose wisely.

Stuff those grudges and unforgiveness in the trash can at the corner. They only weigh you down, slowing down your journey into the life God has for you. And anger only takes up room in your suitcase, so get rid of that too.

Instead, take your journal to keep track of all God is doing and don’t forget your light so you can shine.

The world is a dark place and people are hurting. They need hope. Take it to them.

Don’t hide behind your doubts or worries that what you do won’t be good enough.

Stop hiding. Get out there into the world and let them see God shining through you.

Start bringing Him glory like you always hoped to do.

Lift up your chin and stop living with your eyes to the ground like He’s failed you by not creating you to be enough to make a difference.

You are enough. You can make a difference.

Make a promise to yourself right now to LISTEN for God’s beautiful whisper and to DO what He says to do WHEN He says to do it.

Read that again.

If He tells you to start pedaling, don’t try to debate with Him that it looks like rain up ahead. He may have someone ready to hand you an umbrella at your next stop.

You don’t know what wonderful things God has in store for you in this new year.

But if you trust Him, precious soul, you’re going to find out.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV.)