In May of 1996, I received my first email from a lady struggling with panic attacks. The subject of the email read: “I would like to talk about panic disorder”. I had just posted my story on the Internet, and a few people started writing to me. They wanted to talk with me about what I was going through.

At that point in my life, the anxiety, panic and sleepless nights were at an all-time high. It was very difficult for me to drive or be alone. Going to bed at nights was especially a challenge.

But, I shared my story anyway. I didn’t want to, especially since I was still battling the fear at time. It was a deep struggle within my soul. “But, I’m not free yet. No one will listen to me. Maybe I should wait for the right time, the perfect opportunity to share my story.”

I wanted to wait. I wanted to hold back and only start this endeavor after everything was in place, after I was totally free, after the testimony in my life was strong and founded. But, I pressed on in faith. Things began to grow. The Season of Peace was birthed. Today, that single testimony on the Internet has grown into a full, non-profit Internet-based ministry. That one single correspondence in 1996 has grown to over a thousand weekly subscribers today.

If I had waited for that perfect moment, that right time, that opportune season to share my story, I would still be waiting. There would be no weekly message, no devotional being published, no Internet ministry, no website, nothing. Today, I’m free. Today, fear no longer has any control over my life. Panic attacks are a thing of the past. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Let me ask you. Are you waiting for that perfect opportunity to go back to school, start a family, write a book, change careers, compose a song, start a business? What exactly are you waiting for? Don’t let fear keep you from experiencing all that God has for you. Don’t let the risk of failure keep you from risking at all.

It’s a lot like receiving Christ into your heart. If you were to wait until your life is perfect, holy and sinless before you invited Jesus into your life, then you would still be waiting on your deathbed, for it is Christ within us that makes us perfect, holy and sinless. God says to you, “Choose today whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

Today, ask your Father for the strength and endurance to step out into what he is calling you to do. Start with something small, and let him bring it to life. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10a).

Prayer: Father, give me your strength today in Christ, the strength that empowers to walk in victory and freedom, for I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

During this time, I like to set aside a few days to fast and pray so that I can seek God for a vision or strategy for the year. “What’s my focus this year? What do I need to press into, Lord?” Interestingly, God always gives me a scripture for the new year, and that scripture very clearly directs my steps throughout the year. Once I know what the scripture is, I put it at the top of my journal in bold and large font. That way, when I open up my electronic journal in the morning, it’s the first thing I see all year long.

I want to encourage you to seek God and let him give you a vision for the new year. To demonstrate this, let me share with you the scriptures that the Lord gave me at the beginning of the past four years.

In 2005, it was imply “Here am I. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). 2005 was a very exciting time for my family and me. I resigned my cushy, corporate job, and started my own media production company. It was a step of faith, but I was ready to be sent. Very exciting!

In 2006, my scripture was “Run towards the goal with purpose in every step” (1 Corinthians 9:26). At the beginning of 2006, I set a new goal of producing a feature film. Amazingly, by the end of 2006, I received all of the funding to make the movie.

In 2007, my scripture was “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down” (Hebrews 12:1). With the funding for our feature film in place, it was now time to run. But to run efficiently, I had to strip off every weight that was hindering me. 2007 was a very busy, but cleansing year for me.

For 2008, my scripture has been “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight” (Isaiah 45:2). This year has been a year of preparation for my family and me. I’m still not sure what for, but as I press into God over the next weeks for 2009, I know that he will give me clarity and direction. I am giddy with excitement about what this new year holds for our family.

I know in my heart that the Lord wanted me to share these scriptures with you to encourage you to seek him. He has such great plans for you: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

The Lord has wonderful, great plans for you this year. Take some time to listen and hear what those plans are.

Prayer: Father, I commit these next few weeks to you. Help me put aside any physical, emotional or mental distractions so that I can draw closer to you, and hear your plans for me this year.

I like to run after work, and there are times when I get home, throw on some jogging clothes and go for a quick run around the block. Most of the time Caleb would ask, “Daddy, are you going exercisin’?” I’d respond, “Yes.”

A few years ago, Caleb wanted to go running. He donned his jogging shorts, a Barney tee shirt and his running shoes. “Let’s go, Daddy!” He was ready to run around the block.

At four years old, his style of running was “unperfected”. He was weaving and stumbling occasionally. But, he was exercising.

As we ran, I’d let him take the lead, and I followed closely behind. When he ran, he would often turn his head to see where I was. In doing so, he would stray off the sidewalk onto someone’s yard, nearly missing a mailbox or a parked car.

As we stopped during one of our frequent breaks, I told Caleb that he should always look forward when he was running. I explained that looking back would cause him to slow down and stray off course.

So, we did a running drill. I told to look at a lamppost off in the distance. “Now, focus on that lamppost. It’s your goal. Don’t look back to see how I’m doing. Just focus on the lamppost.” He agreed, “Okay Daddy.”

With his elbows swinging and his little legs chugging along, he ran straight for the lamppost. Even when I talked to him as he ran, he wouldn’t turn back and look. He ran straight for the lamppost, and a tad bit faster, I might add.

The lesson Caleb learned yesterday is a lesson for us as well. When running this race called life, we should not look back. Whether it’s a haunting past or a chance to eye the competition, looking back can be dangerous. In focusing on our past, we lose sight of the Goal. Looking back slows us down and can stray us dangerously off course. Rather, we should keep our eyes on the lamppost.

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1b-3).

Prayer: Lord, help me keep me eyes on the goal. Guard my heart from distractions and the anything that would throw me off course.