The "Word" For The Year
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
I have been one who has enjoyed having a word or a phrase for the new year. I laugh remembering the phrase from 1995: “Coming Alive In Ninety-five.” I don’t remember if I did or not but I did “Stay Alive in Ninety-five.” Some years I chose a word that I hoped to become or an area I desired to grow in. Often the word given to me made no sense, but as the year unfolded I understood it more.
For many years during our New Year Celebration at Touching Hearts Ministries, we prepared and gave “words” for the year. Carefully tucked within the tiny envelopes were cards carrying words to be individually understood with the Lord. I look back and remember the power of those days when in silence everyone opened her word. Some immediately knew what the word meant and embraced it with great joy, while others shoved it into dark purses, not wanting it to be so. We easily cling to words like joy, success, increase, prosper, fruitful. But we seem to withdraw from other words that sound costly, slow or painful. Surrender, Submit, Humility, Release.
This year, this day, finds us all struggling to find words. We stand in such unknown waters we don’t even know what to say. We can’t believe the things we have seen and heard cross our TV screens.
I find myself quiet and contemplative. A bit shocked, and yet full of peace.
Unfolding before our eyes is a changed forever America. Life will never be as we have known it before. I think we will see in the coming days that 2020 was a year of great preparation for what is coming.
A tiny card will not hold the word that we will need for this year, but the Word of God holds everything that we need. We will need a lot of The Word for 2021. In desperation we must turn to His word, cling to Him and obey Him. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the living word and He has given us His written word. Within the pages of this divine book are words of life and light. From Genesis to Revelation, in its entirety, it points to Jesus, The Word. His life within us enables us to do all things. And this life is the light of the world. Remember we carry this light that darkness cannot overcome.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5
I have had a hunger for God since a very early age. It wasn’t something I manufactured, but a gift that God gave to me. If you do not hunger and thirst for Him, ask Him to give it to you. I have a new hunger for His word. I know how desperately I need Him. I know there is so much I do not know. There are many treasures to search for. So much more of Him to know. He longs to reveal Himself to us. As we seek Him, we will find Him.
“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:13 NLT
Together, we will seek Him.
Together, we will stand on His word.
Together, we will believe He is Faithful.
Together, we will be the Light that dispels darkness.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9