New Year. Same God.

This time of the year is so amazing. So much giving and sharing. It’s been my absolute pleasure to see all the kindness of becoming a member of a new church. Coming from such a big city it’s so heartwarming to see how joyful small-town living can be. Jesus adorned on street corners is certainly not the norm in sunny south Florida. Seeing as how it isn't my

"norm" it has taken time to get used to. But just before the holiday break I got a gift from a kind, new friend. I read the words “Wise men still seek Him” across a piece of painted wood tied with twine. I gasped in awe over those words. The giver mentioned what a small token it was, but I was flabbergasted by the words. I kept repeating them in my head. Day after day leading into Christmas repeating “Wise men still seek Him” words that shook me to my very core.

And as I gaze back over the last year gone by, I still search every day to find the King that they all speak of. I'm in a heated battle of hide and seek with the Lord. Never ready to give my position out of fear. A game that never ends. Something I actively do.

This January as you peer into the 365 days

you have ahead, I pray that you would try to pencil finding Jesus into those goals. Those new exercise schedules. Or that new promise to call friends more. Be sure that you find ways to call on your true BFF Jesus. And for some it’s hard. How do we start? Praying is hard! It should be hard to pray. Often, I find that when I’m feeling my most spiritually stale that sitting in the quiet church pews silently for even 5 minutes omits some kind of peace that can only be experienced in the presence of Christ. But maybe that isn't for you either. So, I urge you find ways to seek and find God this year. Read a book about your religion. Ask me. Listen to a new podcast. Because as you actively hide, he pursues. He wants to know you. And love you. Be open to the possibility that you are worthy of the grace promised by God if you would just seek him first. Get out of this active battle of hide and seek with God. Come out come out wherever you are! God is waiting and the new year is just the time to come out of hiding. New Year. Same God.

Be safe. Be great. Be YOU!