As I write this, we are 2 days into 2018.

TWO days.

In the last 2 days, I have been having some conversations with a few friends about some challenges in their lives that they are facing and man has reality sank in...

We live in a broken world.

Now, I have always known this and heard this. However, lately, every day brings news, and it's not always good news.

These last two days have taught me the most cliche life lesson we all have heard, "Life is short."

Friends, it has never rung truer in my ears.

This life here on Earth is so insanely short and our days are numbered. While this reality brings up all sorts of feelings and emotions, there is one specific take away that I want to bring up.

While it hurts to think about how short life really is, it is a reminder to actually LIVE.

I can't tell you how many opportunities I have personally passed up because of fear, anxiety, and hurt.

What I am learning is that there are days that are going to be hard, but that it is more than possible to make the most of the day that is right in front of us.

There are most definitely going to be people or things that try to stop you from accomplishing big things.

You need to know and hear that you CAN do really big things.

You can make the move to a new city.

You can say yes to that mission trip.

You can jump out of your comfort zone.

You can meet new people.

You can say no to what is holding you back and step into each day thankful and grateful for what lies right ahead of you.

Now read those 6 "you can" statements again.

I don't know you personally. I don't know where you are at right now. I don't know your story (but actually I would like to, so feel free to reach out). But I do know this, for me personally, there is nothing that makes my faith stronger than jumping into the unknown. And friends, wow is it scary. I am not always the best at it and I have most definitely failed to do just that at so many points in my life. However, there is not a moment you will regret when you look back and realize the growth that took place at that time in your life, even though it is scary.

I want to challenge you today, do something that scares you (obviously, please be smart about this, I am not talking about something that puts you or anyone else in an unsafe place).

We all talk about how we have hopes, dreams, and goals. You have today. Your story is most definitely not over right now. GO for the dream. Set goals, and achieve them. Don't be the one holding yourself back. What grows your faith? What makes you feel like you are alive? Do it right now.