2013's Word--FAITH

Whole. Prayer. Faith. Worship. Watch.

These have been my tag words in recent years. Words used to guide, steer and focus the 365 days of a given year. These words have been oars in the water. They have been rudders on my boat. They have been reins on the wild horses of my spirit. And they have been anchors dropped deep.

Last year my word was given to me before I really even contemplated it. The Spirit handed it to me through the sweet gift of a friend in the form of a silver necklace.

2013’s word was FAITH.

I thought I had plenty.

I believed that it to be strong. I confessed it repeatedly. But I didn’t realize what God had in store—what he had waiting.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for but not seen. In 2013 I watched God cause my faith to become sight. An eight week Bible study became a pivot point of faith and a catalyst of change for many. A prayer of faith for someone quite ill and sick became a canvas on which God painted his faithfulness and compassion. An almost decade long dream became a reality in the last days of 2013—a dream that involved risk and trust. And yet there it was before me.

But this faith was not sight during the year. Only here at the end as I look back do I see faith manifest. I realize now Faith told me to trust what or rather who I could not see. Faith encouraged me to move forward when I was fearful of even switching positions. Faith allowed ideas and ideals to become flesh. Faith revealed the weak spots in me, but assured me that it is in these very spots God is strong.

Not just any faith, but faith in God the Father who was and is and is to come.

At the end of the year right before Christmas a friend came to where I work and handed me a gift.  A wood carving of the word faith. In the top of the T was a candle—faith has a light to shine.

My friend remembered my 2013 word.

That gift and that word now sit on my mantle to remind me.

 

My FAITH word with my Willow Tree Sculptures.
 (The couple is Steve and Me. Each of the others represents one of our eight daughters.)

To remind me of what God can do. Of what God will do. If we have faith. Without it we cannot please him. And sometimes in order to have it we have to step out into places we cannot go on our own. We must purposefully decide to move beyond our comfort zones and strengths so we are not relying on what we already have or know.  Faith reminds me God can move mountains. If we ask he can toss them into the sea and they will be swallowed whole. Or he will help us traverse them.  Either way he is with us. Either way we will grow. Either way we will mature.

This faith is not in myself. It is not in my ability to do, be or say the right things. Faith is not about formula. Faith is not about pulling up our boot straps, sucking it up, getting over it or God helps those who help themselves.

NO!

Faith is believing God will do what he says he will do. It is believing regardless of sight. It is trusting regardless of evidence. Our God will do what he has promised to do—in one way or another. At the right time. In the right moment. At the right place. Faith believes this. Faith lives this.

Now it is time to choose a new word for a new year. What is God wanting me to know, to change, to become, to address, to embrace, to lay aside and to see this year?

In the next 357 days what revelation does he have for me? What unfolding will he give me?

 

I think I've found my 2014 word. I'll tell you about it soon.

And perhaps you might choose a word? One word. Just one.

I think you just might be surprised. 

 

Resources to aid you in this journey:

 

myoneword.org--Mike Ashcraft's website

My One Word by Mike Ashcraft--book

One Perfect Word by Debbie Macomber.

A Holy Experience —Ann Voskamp’s blog