To be more effective for God in the coming year, it’s important to remember that we don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. When I was in high school, I decided I was going to start sharing my faith with anyone and everyone who would listen. That said, I went straight to the campus drug dealer and told Him about Jesus. Much to my surprise, He received the message with great enthusiasm and prayed with me to accept Christ. After that, he began sharing his newfound hope with others, and I was blown away as He embraced the things of God. However, a while later, I saw him standing in the school parking lot dealing crystal meth to another student. This troubled me, and I began to wonder whether or not he was really saved, so I confronted him. He assured me that he knew he shouldn’t be selling drugs and that he was going to get there, but he just needed time. I figured there was nothing else I could do about it, so I kept praying for him, and guess what? As the school year went on, he got clean and sober and became a major encourager. Then, after graduation, he joined the Navy and became a chaplain. My point in sharing this story is to highlight the truth that we don’t have to be entirely fixed and healed in order to be a disciple of Jesus. Sometimes it takes a while for our flesh to come into alignment with our redeemed soul, and that’s okay. The most important thing is that we set our hearts on becoming more like our Savior and willingly embrace the journey to sanctification. As we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, the Lord will give us everything we need to live abundantly…in His time.

My friend, above all else, make this a year of grace, both for yourself and for other people. Remember that you don’t need to have it all together to have a major impact on those around you — you simply need a heart that is yielded to Jesus. He loves to use imperfect people to do impossible things, and He alone can shine glorious light through the brokenness of your earthen vessel. As His mercy grows deep roots within your soul, His faithfulness inspires you to pay it forward to others so that they, too, can internalize His unfailing love and compassion.