Each year I have found myself on my knees before the Lord, asking for a verse, a word, or some direction that I should be focusing my attention on in the upcoming year. Some years it was a prayer for the year and others it was a reminder of the promises which are sewn deep into the tenet of the Word. Sometimes, I missed it completely. The key words there are …I missed it. He is always faithful.
Last year, I found that the word He put in my heart was meant to be a reminder of who He was. A promise to me that He alone is the anchor of my hope and my faith. He was my hope. He was the promise that continually provided the blessing.
It was a difficult year for my family where the trials tested our faith and made me question if I truly believed what I said I did. I knew the truth, but there were times when I would raise a question to that transcendental throne of grace with wonder in the waiting. It was a year of continual refining and many times I felt like I was dropped right into the fire. However, having that reminder.. (as if we really need to have a special reminder, because He has given us this amazing love letter to remind us of his goodness towards us).. that reminder of a promise truly gave me the connection which was real and sustaining.
I am reminded of Psalm 139. He knows our days from beginning to end. He formed us in that secret place. He knows what we need, even before we offer it up in prayer. Because He is sovereign, He knows everything. It is in this place of secret quiet where I find Him waiting, and I am ever thankful that He meets my needs in blessed abundance long before I even know I have them.
In the midst of the journey to the end of my 2013 I began asking the Lord to show me what I should be praying for, seeking, and believing for the upcoming year. Though, to be completely transparent, I went with some trepidation and perhaps a bit of a plea… asking for mercy because I wasn’t sure I could take another year of trials by fire. Though I knew deep down that no matter where He led me,I would surely follow.
As the end of the year approached I began to see His hand of mercy displayed in my life. As always, He Knew my needs. He knew I needed to HEAR His heart towards me. The more my heart opened to the promises found scattered across the pages of my Bible, the more I began to see and feel the request of His own heart towards me.
Even before I started to see the posts on One Word for 2014 the Lord placed a Word in my heart. …. LEAN.
Proverbs 3:1-6 directs us to LEAN upon Him in all our ways.
My son, forget not thy law, but let your heart keep my commandments.
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
So shall you find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and LEAN not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
LeanIn….. Laugh Deep…. Love Fully…. Embrace your Reality!
Like the trees which are visual reminders of creation reaching up to glory and deep down into the the terra-firma soil for the living water which revives and quenches thirst, we need to grow roots deep, reach arms up, and Lean into the Light of Love so that we are able to sway with the wind and not break in the storm.
One Word for 2014 … LEAN.
Lean not upon your understanding but trust fully in Him… acknowledge Him in all your ways… and He WILL establish and direct your paths.
Praying you will lean upon Him.
Blessings and Prayer!
*All content and images on this website are the work of Dawn Boyer unless otherwise noted. (c)dawnboyer2014~www.journeysingrace.com
Beautiful, Dawn!