I'm a little late joining the bandwagon with my "One Word" for 2013 - but I'm here nonetheless!
The word I chose for 2013 is Hope and I find this word most profound in Jeremiah 29:11:
"For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I love contemplating God's plans for my life. According to this scripture, when I'm confused, or I've lost my way, I can look to the One who knows which way I'm supposed to turn and I can trust Him to guide me.
I don't have to fret about where I'm going to be a year from now, ten years from now, twenty years from now. God created me with a purpose and plan in mind. He's never going to leave me out in the cold. He tells me very clearly what the future holds - and it's good.
The other thing I love about this verse is it helps me to know when I'm walking in His plans for my life - and when I'm not.
If I'm walking down a path of poverty (in my mind, in my health, in my finances, in my friendships, etc.), then I know I'm not on the right path - because poverty is the opposite of prosperity - and His plans are to prosper me. If I'm being harmed in any way, I know it's not what He intended - because He doesn't plan to harm me.
Jeremiah 29:11 goes on to tell me that He plans to give me hope. There have been times, too numerous to count, when I've felt hopeless in one area or another. But this verse reminds me that God's wants me to have hope. There is a way out of the darkness, there is a path away from the pain, there are roads of freedom I have yet to walk upon. God always has hope in store for me, in all situations.
And I have a future. No matter where I'm at in life, the future is full of God's blessings. Right now I may not have all the answers, but God does. I just need to be patient and trust Him to fulfill his promises.
There is hope in knowing God has everything under control.
What about you? What's your "One Word" for 2013? In what area of your life has His hope sustained you?
~ ~ ~ ~
Fellow blogger, Melanie Moore, created the "One Word" badge for my site. You can check out her blog here.
When I first came up with a word, it seemed to be Challenge, but then later it became Celebrate! I wrote a blogpost about it earlier. So Celebrate is my word!
ReplyDeleteMy word this year is STILL. It's two-fold meaning: Still, as in BEING STILL, and Still, as in STILL BEING...faithful, obedient, focusing on Him. My verse: Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight your battles for you; all you must do is be still."
ReplyDeleteHope. A most excellent word, my friend. Love it.
Could never get enough of this word. It's the ultimate motivator.
ReplyDeleteMy word is root. I want to remain rooted in Him, and root in Him every time I'm tempted to do otherwise.
~ Wendy
I love your word HOPE :) So encouraging.
ReplyDeleteHope? Getting our daughter to see the what she's done to herself. Inch by inch, it's happening. At least the old boys talk to her now.
ReplyDeleteMy word is Precipice. I'm on one, why way do I go? Do I jump into God's plan for me? Or retreat to safe, solid, boring ground?
Who needs a rope, eh? JUMP!
What a wonderful word AND a wonderful verse!
ReplyDeleteMy word is Embrace. :)
Great reminder Gabe. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove this word! Mine is joy!
ReplyDeleteYay! Love your word and you. :) My word is rejoice!
ReplyDelete