A word for the year...I don't remember where I first saw the idea, but I think it was probably one of my friends on Facebook. I noticed that people were choosing a single word to live by for each year. Often, that came in the form of a key or other significant piece to represent the power in that one word. I thought it was a great idea so this is something I started for myself a couple years ago.
Last year, the word I chose was SEEK. My verse to go with that word was Jeremiah 29:13-And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. I'm not going to lie, I chose a very difficult word for 2018. There were many times where it was hard to even approach God, much less SEEK Him. When trials came my way, seeking God was the farthest thing from my mind. I just wanted to run and hide. I didn't want God to see how much I had failed Him. However, every time I reached a point where my heart couldn't take any more, I found myself on my knees, crying out to God. When I prayed, it wasn't a single prayer that I could get up from with dry eyes. It was a flood of angry tears and desperate pleas for God's help. When you seek God, it won't be pretty, but it will be the closest you have ever felt to Him. With every difficulty I endured last year, driven to my knees, God was teaching me how to seek Him. I failed over and over again, and I thought about choosing the same word for this year, but there was something else I had to choose instead. I want to continue seeking God, but I believe I need to reach another goal for this year.
The word I chose for 2019 is HEALING. My verse to go with this word is Psalm 147:3-He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Although 2018 wasn't all bad, I still associate it with wounds that went deeper than words. I lived through 2018 with a broken heart and a bitter attitude. I'm not afraid to tell on myself because I want others to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. I allowed the hurt to become my focus and at times, I allowed God to bring healing, but not completely. There is only one way to find complete healing and that is in Jesus. You can't find your healing on your own. Believe me, I've tried. It is only the comfort of God that will bring you the healing you so desperately need in your life. Whether you have suffered from a broken heart, broken bones, a broken marriage or relationship, I pray that you find your healing in 2019.
Maybe 2018 was awesome and you need to choose a different word. Think about what goals you have for the New Year and in what capacity you could serve Jesus. How could you serve Him better? Through seeking Him? Finding your healing? Learning to trust Him? Loving others? Whatever it may be, I challenge you to take a deep breath on this second day of the New Year and really consider what you are hoping to achieve this year. If your focus isn't on serving Jesus, I pray that you will find Him this year or grow closer to Him in a way that you never have. For those of you who do need to experience healing, let it begin right here and right now.