So here we are again, friends— chomping at the bit for the coming year fresh from the festive season, armed with our #oneword365 for 2018. No resolutions for me, that’s way too stressful. Just my “one word” to plant in my heart and nurture my soul. But I have to be honest, this year is a bit of a doozy as I tentatively tiptoe into another decade… the one that rhymes with “nifty”. I know. Someone hold my hand. I need a weighty word to carry me through, and I think this one is completely perfect…
“Faith is like radar that sees through the fog.” Corrie Ten Boom
I love that quote. Faith doesn’t equal sunshine and blue skies every day, but it certainly enables us to navigate through the fog and the storms of life.
What does this year hold for you? Milestones. Monotony. Joys. Shifts in perspective. Unknowns. Celebrations. Tears. A cornucopia of emotions and decisions and relationships. In May, the day after I turn “nifty”, Lyndon and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, which seems ridiculous. (How are the years speeding by so rapidly?) Also, there’s a very good chance we will become “empty nesters” for real this summer as our youngest follows his dreams on the other side of the country. That’s kinda huge. I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly going to need FAITH to cling to Jesus and trust Him with my day-to-day.
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.” Hebrews 11:1 (The Message)
Oh yes please! The firm foundation on which I want to set my 2018 is FAITH.
I’m not a fan of surprises (especially surprise parties for turning “nifty” FYI) and I rather like to plan and be organized. But life doesn’t always work that way, and that’s where FAITH is key. Remember when Jesus walked on water to the disciples in the boat during a storm? (Matthew 14:22-33) They were all freaked out and then Peter decided he wanted in on it, so Jesus called him on his faith. Peter actually did it— he walked on water—until he noticed the churning waves and lost his focus on Jesus. That’s when he began to sink. “You of little faith…”
How easy it is to become distracted by the churning waves! The unexpected news that knocks us sideways or the plans that unravel before our very eyes. But if we have that firm foundation that is FAITH— then we can handle what we can’t see, because God sees it all.
It’s okay that we don’t know what this year holds for us. God is faithful always, and that is enough— He is enough. Whether we’re on the cusp or in the twilight or slap-bang in the middle of our adventure that is life, we can come to God in FAITH with grateful hearts.
Grateful that He is the object of our faith. That He is sovereign and nothing takes Him by surprise. That He gives us breath each new day, that we might give Him glory:
“Faith thanks God in the middle of the mess,
Faith thanks God in the middle of the night,
Faith thanks God in the middle of the story –
Because it believes in the relentless goodness of Him who will not stop writing till there’s good at the end of this story.” Ann Voskamp
Whether you have a particular “word” for the coming year or not, you have a story. In the mist of that story— be it full of pain or full of praise, you can choose to have FAITH in One who is the Author of Life. The Faithful One. Unchanging and all-loving.
“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2
Here’s to a firm foundation of FAITH for 2018! And if you have “one word” for this year, let me know in the comments below? I’d love you to share with us! 🙂
Happy New Year, one and all!
P.S. Want to start the year with a FREE e-book devotional in Proverbs 31? Sign up HERE for DIAMOND DEVOS 31… live out your purpose and passion with wisdom and strength!
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
