A Word For The Year

Some of my blog friends choose a word to focus on each year.  Their word speaks to their heart.  They keep it in sight through the year with reminders in all sorts of ways. Some of them print and frame their word to keep it in their home – often, they frame Scriptures that feature their word.  I’ve never chosen a word for the year before.  Last year I thought I would but nothing specific came to mind.  When it became a difficult task, I decided it wasn’t going to happen.  This year, however, is quite different.  Over the past several weeks a word has been speaking to me, calling my name, and – at times – has seemed to be flashing like a neon sign in my mind.  I know this word was placed in my heart by God.  He has put it there at times and in ways that I couldn’t miss.  I can’t mistake it – it’s so very real!

The word God has ‘written’ on my heart for 2012 is -

Scriptures and songs of hope fill my heart through the day and I know God has something very special planned for this new year.  My theme verse this year is:

My sweetheart and I sense that God has begun to put things in place in our lives for something special He wants to do – in us and through us.  We don’t know what it is, but He knows.  And we know He will be with us wherever leads us.  We may be in training right now – we may be in a ‘waiting’ time.  It may be made very clear to us soon, or it may be sometime farther down the road.  Whatever it is, we are listening for His still, small voice every step of the way.

An old hymn keeps coming to mind and I find myself humming and singing it often.  I’ve known it (and loved it) since I was a small child but, now, the meaning seems to go deeper into my heart every day!

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

Quite a few years ago I went through a time when almost everything around me seemed hopeless.  One day when all the circumstances of life seemed impossible, as I was walking through a store, my eyes ‘fell’ on a ceramic magnet.  I stopped and looked closer and tears began to fall.  I knew God was speaking to me right there in the middle of the store.  Somehow I squeezed out enough money to buy the magnet.  A few weeks later when God took us to a new place, one of the first things I did when we started to move into our new home was to put that magnet on my refrigerator.  It’s still on my refrigerator – I see if often.  And I remember what God said that day, in that desperate situation. Times have changed since then but the truth of this verse has not changed at all.  Yesterday I opened the daily devotional book I’ve chosen for this year – and there it was.  Speaking to me again – confirming what God has been whispering to my soul.
My heart is full of hope for this new year.  While I don’t know what 2012 will bring my way, I don’t have to know.  I just need to know – and follow – the One Who will walk with me through every minute of every day!


Song: ‘The Solid Rock’
Words by: Edward Mote
Music by: William Bradbury