Many of us search, seek, and pray for God to show us a word to focus on for the year ahead, and this year is no different. While I was with one of my daughters, we talked about courage being our word. I thought, yes, that’s a good word, but not sure it was my word for 2024. I kept praying and asking God and then “it” happened. He showed me, through His Word, courage is actually going to be my word for 2024.
I have to be honest with you, it’s been a rough six months dealing with the recurrence of my Cushing’s Syndrome. It’s not something I saw coming, and it took all of us by surprise. But here we are, post treatment and praying it all works the way the doctors hope.
Throughout this journey, I have found myself listening to God’s Word more than I have been reading His Word. At first this was very hard for me to accept because daily reading of His Word is my lifeline. Although turning the pages of my Bible and reading the print and notes from years of study is still my favorite way to hear His voice, I learned to embrace a new season of ministry and thanked God for the variety of ways to be in His Word. I share this to say, God confirming my word for 2024, has felt miraculous as how I spend my quiet time with Him has changed so much these past months.
As I have been praying, I have felt God telling me to revisit a teaching I have shared with many women: Is your worship a Lifestyle or a Stylish Life? So, I went to the book of Haggai and started to read the account of when Haggai, a prophet of God, went to Zerubbabel, who leads the first group of captives from the Babylonian Exile with a challenge. Haggai challenged the leadership that the people were living in luxury while the house of the Lord lay desolate. He encouraged Zerubbabel to consider their ways and start to rebuild God’s temple. (Haggai 1:1-11)
God made this personalwhile studying this portion of scripture: do you just take care of your outward appearance only with no regard to what God has been entrusted to you and do you treasure the gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ left you when He ascended back to His Father? Yes, you and I house this gift in an earthen vessel. Consider your ways. Make Him first and everything else of value will find you.
As I continued to read the second chapter of Haggai, there “it” was, my word—courage.
“‘But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declaresthe Lord, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the Lord of hosts.” (Haggai 2:4)
It took courage for the people of God to rebuild the temple—a grit beyond their own strength. They knew God was with them (Haggai 1:13). And for each one of us there are things, situations, people, or circumstances that seem too big for us to carry. But what if that very trial is what God is using to make you more like His Son? What if you and I walked into 2024 courageously, even though scared, but doing it anyway?
As we walk into 2024, may we have this same determination and audacity the Israelites had to rebuild the temple; remembering that you can do all things through Him who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). And no matter what lies on the other side of uncertainty, may we use every opportunity to glorify Him with our responses, decisions, and lifestyles.
Journeying with Him,