The Lord asked me to put ALL of my trust in him over and over again last year. I'm not perfect. I often struggled to trust, but when I let go, He made changes in my life I couldn't have anticipated. Change and trust are exciting and scary. All I can say is...the Lord blessed me.
Over the last month, I often thought of my word for 2013, and one word would hover near my consciousness, but I would shoo it away. It seemed too painful to be my focus for the new year. Now, I know you'll probably screw your face up and think, is she crazy, how can that be painful? when you see my word. But truly, these five letters seemed too hard, like God was asking too much out of me.
You see, I lived this concept for four full years. I'd gone full out on it. I didn't hold back. And 2012 all but snuffed it out of my vocabulary. When that word came chugging along, I knew what was expected; I knew what God wanted, and I did not want to obey.
I even prayed several times to make sure this really was the focus God wanted me to dwell on. When I heard it over and over, I finally heaved a sigh and relented. Okay, You win. I'll do it.
My word for 2013?
If you click on the picture, it will take you to the blog, Only a Breath, where you will find links to other people's words for 2013. Special thanks to Melanie for creating this button. :)
As soon as I relented, my soul opened up. It was as if a missing part of me had been found. Now, don't get me wrong, we're only a few days into the new year. I haven't worked up to big dreams yet, but I have started with something simple--fantasizing about new bedsheets.
(I can't believe I just admitted that. Yes, I'd gotten to a point where I didn't even dream about having nice new bedsheets! That's just ridiculous!! No wonder I need God to shake me out of my stupor!)
Dreaming is fun. I've always been a dreamer. This year I'm dreaming about things I can easily obtain (like a quick trip to the art museum) and things that I may never get. On New Year's Day I surfed the web for real estate on Lake Michigan. Will I ever own a piece of property on this beautiful coast? Who knows! But it sure made me smile dreaming about it.
If you decide to focus on one word this year, pray for God to lead you to a Bible passage that complements it.
There are many Bible passages with the word "dream" in them, but few use it in the context I'm focusing on. They discuss actual night-time dreams. I skimmed and dismissed them, certain they weren't right, and I switched my search to devotionals.
As soon as I saw the following passage, I knew it was the right one. It doesn't mention dreams, but it encapsulates the meaning of my word.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV Bible):
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Maybe new bedsheets is a frivolous thing to dream about, but in the end, if we can't dream for simple pleasures, how can we dream that God will use us to build his church? He is our Father. He does not want us to live a life of inner poverty, where we deprive ourselves needlessly. He can do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." Why not ask and imagine for more?
I love surprising my kids with things I know will make them smile. Sometimes the treats are small, like a candy bar, and other times they are big. It gives me pleasure to do this. God is the same way. If I refuse to tell Him what I want, isn't that basically saying "I don't believe you will come through for me"?
Look at the phrase, "according to his power that is at work within us..." His power IS at work within us. How can I be gloomy, knowing God is using His power right now within me? I can't.
My word has already cracked open a light in my life, and the new year has just begun. Have you found a word to focus on in 2013? Are you willing to pray for God to send you a word? If you have, what is your word?
Have a blessed 2013!
