About five years ago, a girl I liked invited me to the Cru Indianapolis Winter Conference. I was in college and questioning faith. She told me that there was this week long conference attended by CRU students across the Midwest filled with speakers and worship. Her eyes lit up when she told me that, “worshiping in the New Year was the best thing ever.”
I could not think of anything worse.
There was no way that I was going to be with a bunch of what I thought were “crazy Cru people” for a week. Especially not on New Years! However, I really liked this girl and we were friends. For that alone, I remember honestly considering it, because, if for nothing else, it would give me a week to hang out with her.
I ended up not going and probably dancing in the New Year at some bar wearing heels and a sparkly dress.
Fast forward, give or take five years later, I found myself at Cru Indianapolis Winter Conference worshipping in the New Year with a bunch of “crazy” amazing Cru people.
The serendipity of the whole situation was not lost on me. At various moments throughout the week, I could hardly breathe, completely taken back by how far God has brought me in five years. He brought me full circle in such a beautiful act of graciousness. Five years ago, you could not have dragged me to a Christian Conference over New Year’s Eve and here I was willingly and joyfully choosing to spend my New Year’s in worship. I spent most of my time there emotionally overwhelmed by God’s hand on my life and so thankful that he gave me a chance to reflect back on His pursuit.
I think it is really easy to believe without actually “believing.” Meaning, you can believe Jesus is Savior but spend most days forgetting that He is real. He is moving. He is close to you and me. He is actively involved in our lives.
New Year’s Eve reminded me just how real and actively moving Jesus is.
The New Year always ushers in moments where we can create vision for what we want God to do within the coming year. All I know right now is that I want to be all in for the next year and for every year after that. I want to look back on my life in the next five years, blinking back tears at the miracles God has worked within my heart. I want my chest to feel tight consumed by so much emotion at how far He and I have grown together. I want to go deeper and farther with Him than I ever thought was possible.
I want to love girls out in bars dancing on tables in sparkly dresses really well. I want more full circle moments.
