New Beginnings: New Year, New Growth
Mark 2:1–12, “Let us begin this new year with these words of wisdom as motivation: speak up, reach out, and carry your friends toward healing. Together, we are stronger.”
Happy New Year, Mavericks!
What I’m about to share has been brewing inside me for months. I started putting pen to paper about a month ago, but I discarded several drafts before settling on this version. Now, as the new year gets underway, I find myself reflecting more deeply on what it means to face challenges head-on and come out stronger—what it means to embrace the journey of Becoming Maverick.
For many, the new year is a time for quick resolutions and goal-setting. For me, this process has evolved into something longer and more intentional over the past few years. My annual reflection and goal-setting now begins in mid-December and stretches over 30 to 60 days, sometimes ending in February. It’s not just about ticking items off a list—it’s about taking the time to honestly assess where I’ve been, what I’ve faced, and where I’m headed. It’s about identifying the changes I need to make to get there. This could include upgrading beliefs that no longer serve me, acquiring new skills or resources, or even building or ending personal or business relationships. It’s about understanding myself, the world, and making the necessary edits to my game plan.
This year, I had to confront the truth that 2024 was incredibly tough. There were long stretches—50 to 60% of the time—where I felt like I was walking around with a hole in my heart. A heaviness I couldn’t shake. Have you ever felt like you wanted to cry but couldn’t find the tears? That’s where I was. Anxiety was constantly in the red zone, and I didn’t know where to turn. I couldn’t even put into words what was wrong, and I felt my friends were tired of hearing the same sad stories. So, I kept it to myself.
In the middle of all this, one Bible story kept coming to mind: the paralyzed man and his friends in Mark 2:1–12. These friends carried their lame companion to Jesus, even breaking open a roof to ensure he got the healing he needed. That story has stayed with me because I realized—I was the lame man.
As an introvert leaning toward ambivert tendencies, I deeply value my alone time. But this year reinforced something important: we were not designed to live in isolation. Having time to recharge is necessary, but prolonged isolation can be dangerous—it can drive a person to despair. My friend Sam and I often discuss this: introverts need balance. We need alone time, but we also need connection. The truth is, that introverts love and need people, just in a different manner than extroverts.
I am filled with gratitude because, despite the challenges, I had a special group of friends and family who carried me through. At times, I felt paralyzed by my struggles—financially, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically unable to move forward. Like the lame man in the story, I was dependent on others to get me to a place of healing. And I can honestly say I wouldn’t have made it without them.
Even now, there are days when life doesn’t go the way I want, and I relapse into moments of stress or depression. But I’ve come a long way, thanks to those who stayed with me when I couldn’t carry myself.
Like the paralyzed man’s friends, they didn’t let me struggle alone. They reminded me of an important truth: we were not designed to live in isolation. Healing and breakthroughs happen in the context of connection and support.
Mavericks, I know how hard it can be to reach out for help—especially for men. Society often tells us to “tough it out,” to hide our struggles, and to see vulnerability as weakness. But let me encourage you: speak up when you need help. Don’t let pride or fear silence you. Healing begins when we allow others to walk with us.
And to those who see a friend struggling—don’t let go too soon. Sometimes we assume someone is “fine” and move on, leaving them to struggle alone when they still need us. Healing takes time, and your presence might make all the difference.
In the early 2000s, the singer-songwriter Stacie Orrico released a song called I Promise. The lyrics ask:
"Will I take tender, tender care of you?
Take your darkest night and make it bright for you?
Will I be there to make you strong and to lean on?
When this world has turned so cold, will I be the one that’s there to hold?"
This is the kind of friendship we all need—and the kind we can offer to others.
Ask your friends, “How are you, really?” And when you do, be thoughtful. Men and women open up differently; often, men open up better shoulder-to-shoulder rather than face-to-face. Whether it’s through a shared activity, a quiet moment, or simply listening without judgment or solutions, your support matters. Sometimes, all someone needs is a listening ear.
Mavericks, we were designed to be connected. So carry your friends when they can’t carry themselves. Break through the “roof” of silence and stigma. Don’t let anyone be left struggling alone. Be the friend who stays, who listens, and who lifts others toward healing. Too often, we don’t look deeply enough at a problem to find the root that would resolve it. We regard most of our troubles as externally generated, but in reality, most are internally generated—even the financial ones. There are deep internal wounds that require healing before our external reality can change. In other words, we need to heal. So we must learn how to heal, and how to bring ourselves to a point of healing.
And that, my friends, is what Becoming Maverick is all about: leaning into community, embracing vulnerability, and choosing connection over isolation. Let’s step boldly into this new year with courage, compassion, and the commitment to be there for each other when it matters most. Together, we are stronger.
Join the Conversation
Thank you for reading to the end. What is your strategy for the New Year? Let’s start a conversation—leave a comment below!
Shalom!
Thank You for Your Generosity
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