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:
Wonderfully written Laura and a great reminder of the work Faith! My words are fruitfulness and dwelling in the Lord. Love Tracey
Thanks so much, Trace— I’m pretty excited about leaning into “faith” this year! Love your words, too… “fruitfulness’ and “dwelling”— looking forward to seeing how God reveals Himself to you deeper through them both. I know He will 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, lovely. Blessings to you!
Fantastic post and love your word choice!
Thanks so much, Courtney! I love it, too!! 😉 Happy New Year to you!
Love the one word instead of a Resolution. So funny my one resolution was to take on everything I do on my knees. The good and the bad, every situation with the guidance of Faith. This was just that cherry on top. Thank you for sharing Laura
Thanks for stopping by, Marijon, and for your lovely encouragement. I think we are sharing our sweet “one word” for 2018 😉 Blessings to you for the coming year!
Love the word choice!! Also loved the quote that says Faith thanks God in the mess. 😍😍 Hope the journey is beautiful for you and one full of faith!
Ayyssa, thank you so much! Guaranteed, there’ll be some mess in 2018 😉 but with a grateful heart I’ll cling to faith through it all! Every blessing to you for the coming year!
I love this so much! My word this year is faithful 🙂 Pinned!
Thanks Allison 🙂 We are almost “one word” twins! So grateful for a God who is utterly faithful. Thanks very much for sharing on Pinterest…. blessings for your year ahead!
Hi Laura,
I love the graphic you created with the lovely couch and the word faith — love that font too! You always have such appealing and artful images here — and of course, your words about having a firm foundation for our faith are just the ones I need as I step into this new year! Enjoyed my visit here today!
Valerie, thank you so much for stopping by with you kind words! So glad you enjoyed my post— may your 2018 be filled with His goodness and love:) Blessings to you!
Beautiful Laura. I love the Ann Voskamp words on faith.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Ann always seems to have just the right words… 🙂 Happy New Year and blessings to you!
Hello friend!! Love your word for the year! I actually have a phrase rather than a word. It’s this: More love, less fear. He also gave me a verse for the year that goes along with the phrase: 1 John 4:18 “Perfect love drives out fear.” NIV 💜
Thanks so much, Christine! What a wonderful verse to go along with your phrase… such beautiful truth right there. Cling to it, friend! 🙂 Blessings for 2018!
my word is equilibrium – a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces: mental or emotional balance. Difficult to achieve when you live in a culture not your own. But we are coming back to live in Canada next month (Chilliwack) and this word dropped in my heart as a gift and a goal for this year.
Alynne— how exciting that you are coming back to Canada (even if we don’t get you back in our pew!) I love your word for this year, it sounds like a perfect fit. Every blessing for 2018 and much love to you and Dave 🙂
JOY, my word, which in essence takes some serious FAITH to live it! Thank you for a great read. I surely could not have the Joy I have amidst my mess without having Faith in the one who He gives me strength each day. Funny! I was journaling this morning and “Faith” was one of the words God showed me in my reading. It is my faith that helps me live HIS JOY even through 11 surgeries, cancer, divorce, four adult chilren! LOL!
I love that He has choosen me and am truly excited for 2018.
May it be full of JOY for you and your family.
In His Joy,
Desiree
Desiree, thanks so much for sharing your word and your heart! Joy is an AMAZING word to take into 2018, and you’re absolutely right, it goes hand-in-hand with faith. May you know His joy on an even deeper level this coming year— every blessing to you! 🙂
Faith-a beautiful word for 2018. Thanks for the quotes from Corrie ten Boom and Ann Voskamp.
Thanks so much, Debbie— I’m looking forward to living it out 🙂 And yes, what great quotes from those two remarkable women! Every blessing to you for 2018!
Love your word..FAITH. In reality it is the foundation of every word. My one word for 2018 is SIMPLIFY. God spoke many years ago to my heart to keep things simple. Removing clutter both in the natural and the spirit, really keeps me focused on things that matter. Great read today, stopping by from Salt and Light Link Up.
Thanks, Timberley, I always love hearing from you! “Simplify” is such a good word in so many ways— I find it’s easy to become distracted and overwhelmed in the day-to-day! Happy New Year to you and yours 🙂
My 50s have been some of my most adventurous years yet, Laura! You’re going to love being 50. 🙂 Empty-nesting also brings some great delights so you have a lot to look forward to. And with “faith” as your word choice, God already has prepared the way for you to depend on him through it all. Happy New Year!
Oh, Lisa, you just made my day! Thanks for the encouragement, friend, I know there is much to look forward to on this crazy journey. And yes to all the faith! Every blessing to you and yours for 2018 🙂
Faith is a great word! I don’t do a word, but a phrase, and this year I chose, “Point to Jesus.”
Thanks for stopping by, Heather! “Point to Jesus” is a fabulous phrase— what powerful words to bear in mind with each decision and reaction for 2018! Happy New Year to you 🙂
Love that quote, too! Excited to read where this word takes you in 2018.
HUGS and Happy New Year. 🙂
Thanks so much, Lyli— I’m pretty excited about this year, too! Every blessing for the coming year 🙂
I’m so grateful too that he is the focus of my faith. Faith is truly proven more when things are upside down than right side up. Love your quotes. My word for 2018 is Hope. I look forward to what God has in store for his children. Blessings to you Laura.
Thanks so much, Lureta! Isn’t that the truth— our faith is proven and stretched and grown in those “upside-down” times, for sure! Love your word “hope” for 2018! Blessings to you for the coming year 🙂