Happy New Year! …whatever that actually means.

This year already looks set to be quite a change for me, which has to be a good thing because I don’t think I’ll remember 2006 with much fondness. Tomorrow I start a new job, which will be a challenge, especially with the need to continue finishing my PhD in my spare time. Largely because of that, I’ve decided to take a break from some of the youth work stuff I do with my Church. I will miss it a lot as it has been such a large part of my Christian walk (and social life!) over the past year and a half.

In the past few days I’ve had some very frank chats that have brought clarity to some relationships that lacked that. Part of me really grieves for what was, part of me has the sense to realise that things had to change. Right now, the former feels like the bigger part, and it hurts.

Sometime in the next few weeks I should be getting a car (my first) so that will change things a bit too, giving me the freedom to go places and do things without relying on other people for lifts. I also hope to get a new lens (Sigma 18-50mm f2.8) if my bank balance can cope. When I’m not working, finishing my PhD, or learning Greek/Hebrew, I’d like to get good at portrait photography.

However, the most important change that I hope 2007 brings is a new found reliance on God. If I had to pick a few words to describe the year past, I suppose “I did it my way” (sung like Sinatra) would be fairly accurate. I can say that God is good, and God is sufficient, but can I put aside enough of my pride, insecurities, independence and doubts to actually live like I believe that? That’s my challenge to myself for 2007. I have vague recollections of saying all that a year ago, but I’m giving myself a fresh start, and I guess the opportunity for a fresh start is something worth celebrating about New Years.

PS. If you need some free mashup action to start the year check out MySplice by team9 and Stereogum.