JD Walt pre-empted me today with the Wake Up Call from seedbed.com writing on a “word” for the year. I had been occupied with personal ministry, church, and family activities the last two weeks and had not been prodded to think of a “word for 2023”, as I have in recent years past. Some of my previous years’ words have been generosity, faith-full, know, gentleness, wisdom….mostly along the line of ways I felt deficient and needful. When that realization occurred to me yesterday morning, I thought, “I don’t feel the least bit led to seek out a specific single focus word this year.” And I decided I would just focus on being aware, attentive, and attuned to whatever the Lord would direct me toward day by day, week by week…. I had started writing last night about the decision to NOT choose a single word this year and had set it aside to complete today. But I listened to the WUC and laughed at the way God had timed my thoughts yesterday and his words today… maybe as confirmation of my decision…. or permission or a blessing upon it!
The first time I became aware 25+ years ago that God had put a particular scripture focus word in my heart and mind for deep study, the word was “fear.” I spent a significant time studying the topic and discovered it was well worth following the nudge the Spirit gave me.
For any who may be pursuing a deeper experience of worship this year, I love this definition of worship that a friend shared today! This is what I want to orient my life toward….And as JD observed:
“This Word (referring to Hebrews 1:1-3)orients us with past, present, and ultimate reality. It introduces us to the central figure of history and eternity who is the very integration of heaven and earth; indeed the coherence of the universe. And one more thing, notice how this Word, though it is for me, is not about me. This Word is all about God. That’s the problem with so many of our thin and fluffy words. They are all about us, our lives, our future, our aspirations, our intentions, our agendas, and our own self-diagnosed needs in which we become trapped like flotsam and jetsam, swirling in the eddies of the great river of life for which we were made. We so desperately need a Word from beyond ourselves, a transcendent Word, an undying, eternal, unending Word, a Word by which we can be navigated back into the currents of the rolling river.”
I think that’s a true need, a worthy desire, and may be true of any Scripture that God uses to speak to one’s heart. A transcendent Word from God lifts us up out of ourselves and into the Presence of God.
I have a fresh journal handy and a couple of devotional reading resources. I am starting with the Psalms, as far as a specific study focus. I have no timeframe, no required meetings, no particular goal but to delight myself in time with the Word and Spirit.
Also, the book of Hebrews, which was part of today’s text (Hebrews 1:1-3) had spoken to me powerfully at an earlier time in my life. I think I’ll revisit it and make it my New Testament focus for study for 2023.
May Joyful and Abundant Blessings flow to all of you and yours this year.
