We are one month into 2017 and for many it doesn’t seem to
be fairing much better than 2016. Marcy said it beautifully in our last post, When All You Can Do Is Pray, about how unstable last year felt. As 2016 came to
end I saw an abundance of posts on social media about how terrible 2016 was.
Some were funny memes that gave me a little chuckle and others were more
extreme. I thought to myself, “I don’t think I have ever heard (or seen) such a
larger number of people agreeing about how terrible one single year was.” It
felt overwhelming to me. I found myself agreeing with all the Facebook
posts. But I know how easy it is for me
to get caught up in the “hype” if I am not careful so I took a step back and
decided to evaluate.
Much like Marcy, I saw hurt, illness, hardships and tragedy
all around me. And it seemed like so much more than “usual”. I thought about my
own life and remembered the number of transitions we experienced this past year
and... Yeah, I can’t say it was fun. After processing the collective data, I
could certainly see how so many of us were more than ready to say “Farewell!”
to 2016.
…“that we should no
longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every
wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Ephesians 4:14 (ESV)
We don’t have to stay that way though! We serve a God who is
unchanging, unwavering and faithful to the end! Let’s not be tossed by the
waves but stand, anchored, as we keep moving forward.
As 2016 came to end, I felt God pulling me to withdraw from
some things and out of that I got my one word for 2017. I am not a resolutions
type girl, that carries too much pressure! A few years ago I learned about
choosing one word for the year and I have adopted that practice each year
since. I try to listen and follow where God is leading me on this (because again,
it takes the pressure off). So I would like to share my word for this year with
you!
My one word for 2017 is ABIDE. It comes from John chapter
15. Abide means to stay, remain or wait.
It makes me think of the words home and anchor. So as I tuck my one word in my
heart (and write it down of course!) I look to 2017 with hope, peace and
purpose.
I don’t know what your 2016 looked like, but I pray that you
can look forward with hope! Maybe it means prayerfully choosing your own one little word or a verse from the Bible or even a song. But as we embark on 2017 we can
use these things to keep coming back to, regaining focus and pressing on; using
it as an anchor to withstand the waves that will come.
“I am the vine, you
are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
Share your one little word (#OLW) with us in the comments below! We'd love to hear what God has been speaking to you...
Post by: Jimmie Lee DiIanni
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