Hands up if you have successfully wasted 11 months of 2018! a social media meme reads.

Memes like this have been going around the internet, and surprisingly, have easily become viral, as thousands react, comment, and share this on their social media—probably a sign that many people actually feel this way.

I don’t know how you feel about 2018, but this is a perfect time to evaluate how your year has been and examine it from the press box.

The “press box” is a special section for sports journalists located near the top of an arena or stadium. Since this section is usually enclosed, being in the press box helps sports journalists have a complete view of the hard court, see every event in the game, and write an objective report, free from the distractions of biased fans or the noise of the crowd.

In real life, we sometimes find it difficult, if not impossible, to have a sober reflection about our state of affairs because we’re too caught up with the clutters of our daily lives and the noise of our worries and concerns.

We all need a press-box moment.

As the year draws to a close, I want to invite you to join me in the press box to slow down a bit and carefully examine how your year had been.

Take a moment away from the noisy crowd.

Take a step back from the grind of your daily life.

Get your pen and notepad ready.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Then answer this question . . .

Kumusta ang 2018 mo?

• What major life event has happened to you this year?
• Who are the people that made an impact on you?
• Are there people you’ve helped and inspired even in small ways?
• What important life lessons did you learn this year?

No matter how the past 11 months had been for you, the good news is your year can still afford a great plot twist if you choose to make the most of the remaining days of 2018.

The year 2018 may be ending in a few weeks, but the good news is this: God is not finished with you yet.

If you ever felt that 2018 has been a year of failures and disappointments for you, take heart; He can turn these failures into worthwhile lessons to shape you and grow your character. He is a God of new things and He can definitely turn things around for you.

If 2018 has been your best year yet, be all the more excited, because God can exceed your wildest dreams and answer your seemingly impossible prayers.

So, as you approach the next year, keep dreaming! Write your faith goals! Keep running the race! Keep fighting the good fight of the faith! For no matter how this year has turned out for you, the coming year holds so much promise anchored on God’s love and faithfulness.