For several years now, as the days wind down after Christmas, I take some time to ask God if he has a "word" for me in the coming year.
I remember 2009 well, the year I felt God saying he wanted me to learn how to "live loved." I was wrecked by his love that year and have never been the same. In 2018 the Spirit whispered the word, "rest" and I would discover how little I knew about the true rest of God.
Then, in 2019, I heard the word, "faithful," and I have clung to that over the months like a life raft, as I felt tossed about on a stormy sea with no shoreline in sight. I am so deeply grateful for the ways God has spoken over the years and prepared me for what lay ahead. It has deepened my faith and strengthened my soul to run harder after Jesus.
Allow me share my simple practice with you, and encourage you to seek God's heart personally for the coming year. You will be so glad you did.
- Set aside some time to be still and alone to connect with God. You will need at least 15 minutes.
- Calm your soul in God's presence by reading a Psalm or two and giving thanks for his blessings over this past year.
- Offer your heart to the Lord and affirm that you want all that he has for you for the coming year.
- Ask the Lord to give you a word, a phrase, or a theme for this year. Wait quietly, and when he speaks, write it down.
- Spend some time pondering what you have heard, reflecting on your life as to why God might be giving you this right now. What is he inviting you to see? To embrace? To trust?
- Over the next several days, press into these things. Look words up in the dictionary, read Scriptures that include your word, phrase or theme, look up Bible meanings, pray for clarity regarding this.
- Choose a Bible verse that will help you hold onto this word, phrase or theme.
- Journal your reflections often as you continue to come back to the word throughout the year.
That's it! At the end of the year, you will be able to look back and see what God was doing, and perhaps even understand a little more, why things happened as they did.
By Dr. Tricia Rhodes
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Dr. Tricia Rhodes specializes in helping others experience God's presence through practicing soul-care. An adjunct professor for Fuller Theological Seminary and author of 7 books, including the acclaimed, The Soul at Rest, she is a practiced minister with over 40 years of experience.
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Enjoy the 12 Days of Christmas Devotionals from Dr. Tricia Rhodes. Connect with the stories of key players, some you may never have thought of before! You will also find Christmas activities for each day, as well as a family devotional for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.