Happy New Year! I am back from my time of rest and celebration of Christ’s birth. As I turn the page into a new chapter of my life, I’ve been reflective on the past year and expectant of what God has planned for me in 2013. Below are some of my hopes and goals as I continue in this journey of faith. It’s that time of year again. The time where we pack up the decorations, place the now dead tree at the side of the road, and store the rolls of red and green wrapping paper until next year.

After a couple of months spent in celebration and indulgence, we are more than ready to get back into routine. And with that resolve to get our lives in order comes the ever popular “New Year’s Resolution.”

While I have a few goals and projects I’d like to complete this year, and I definitely need to get more organized, instead of the typical New Year’s Resolutions, I like to choose a verse as my heart’s focus for the year. And this year, I’ve chosen Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Summarized in one word: Seek.

This year, I want to seek Him in newer, deeper, and richer ways. I want to seek Him in the daily tasks of life and in the boring and monotonous duties and responsibilities. I want to seek Him in the difficult challenges, the trials, and the hardships of life. I want to seek Him in the cloudy fog of dark and stormy days and in the bright sunshine of joy-filled days. I want to seek Him in prayer and His Word, in quiet meditation, and in silent contemplation.

I want to seek Him with all my heart, not for the first time, but maybe like it is for the very first time.

I’ve thought about the wise men who traveled far to worship a baby king. With only a star to guide them and a belief that they would find what they longed for, they left their homes and journeyed for thousands of miles, seeking to simply see Him. I also think of Simeon and Anna who waited their whole life to see the promised Savior. Though old and frail, they were faithful and waited for the day when they would see the One they believed would come. And then there’s David, who said in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”

I want a heart that seeks after God, no matter the distance, no matter how long, and above any other want or desire.

This year, I want to go to great lengths to seek Him. I want to seek Him above everything else, putting aside anything that distracts me or pulls me away. I want to persevere and seek Him even when it seems like He is silent. I want God to be my heart’s complete focus and only desire.

And so, dear friends, I hope you’ll join me here and walk alongside me in this journey. As always, I will share what He is doing in my own story of redemption-from the inside out. Life is messy, I’m not perfect, and it’s Christ’s grace that covers me everyday. You’ll continue to see my life as it is, transparent and real-the only way I know how. Will you seek Him with me?

What has God put on your heart this new year? I’d love to hear!

A special thanks to my friend Melanie at Only A Breath for her kindness in making my one word button!

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