This is the time of year when many Christian bloggers choose their “one word”. Rather than making New Year’s resolutions or even setting goals, we pick a word to focus on throughout the year. The focus word is chosen in order to grow, learn and discover all that God wants to do in and through us. I tried this first in 2014 with the word “courage” and learned to develop a bravery in me as I faced the challenges of that year. Last year I chose the word “expectancy” and discovered how to wait upon the Lord with hope and anticipation, knowing that He was going to do something great (and He did…as always!)

This year the word that comes to my mind and is heavy on my heart is “live”. For far too long I have been stuck going through the motions. I have gotten into the bad habit of focusing on what could have been, what I felt should have been and my feelings of loss surrounding my shattered dreams. As a result, I have stopped fully living. The repercussions of this have been damaging, as I seem to have lost my feelings of self. My enthusiasm has waned.


In addition, I have not been fully present for those whom I love and who love me. Obviously, this can’t continue! Time marches on and will wait for no man (or woman!)

God has been doing a great work within me; a work of healing and growth. Sometimes, though, I must admit the work has been slower than my liking! But, I also know that God’s timing is perfect. While I enjoy His healing hand upon me, I also know I should not sit still being counterproductive to what He is accomplishing. 


Earlier today I was reading the book of Job (of course I was reading Job!) and verse 42:16 is now stuck in my mind. After all that Job went through, after all of his suffering and loss, God’s word offers four simple yet powerful words: “After this, Job lived…” And so, as I wrote in my post from Monday, I am choosing to focus on what God is doing and not on what I have lost. I am choosing to live and to live fully; open to embrace all that God has waiting for me.

In His grip,

Joan




20 Comments

  1. I happen to be reading through Job in the Message translation - oh my it is so good.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love that verse from Job. This week has been a struggle for me. Yep, I get the grieving of lost dreams. But living, that I can still do. In His grace and through His love. Thanks for this my friend. You blessed my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey friend. Good to be here reading your words. I went back and read your last post too. Such a good choice this is... "choosing to live and to live fully; open to embrace all that God has waiting for me." I will be praying for you. And can I admit that I have never read the book of Job. Now, I've heard the story at many different times but have yet to land on it and actually read it. Every time someone shares verses from these chapters I tell myself, "Beth, read Job." Must make that happen!


    Hugs to you. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my! This post could have been written by me! I've also decided to quit thinking about wasted years and coulda, shoulda beens and rededicated myself to living and serving Him today! My word for 2016 is "prepare." Looking forward to productive year in 2016!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Isn't it powerful to read that in Job! I've been reflecting on Job too, how he is silenced by God's response to Him, as God details all that He has done / does in creation...but in the silence we see Job's focus on His awful circumstances disappear. He chooses to live because he has beheld God in all His Glory...and overcome. That living is a POWERFUL witness to the world. Even when we are slayed, let us choose to live and glorify Him because we have beheld His face and live in His hope.

    I think you'd love Colossians 3 and Hebrews 2 in the Message version! They mirror your desire to really live (and are Scriptures that God used to shake me awake when I was preparing to write a post this week).

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Beth! Oh, yes...Job is a "must read". It tackles the issue of when "bad things happen to good people" and how difficult that is to understand when we have a loving God. If your Bible has study notes with it...I recommend following those as you read. They really help!


    I'm excited to move forward while living fully with God!


    Blessings, Joan

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Brenda! "Prepare"...that's a great word! It is exciting and hopeful all wrapped up together! Blessings to you as you also move forward putting the "could-as" and "should-as" behind you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks, Anna! I'm going to go look up the verses you shared in the Message version (I love that paraphrase!) Yes, choosing to live because we have seen God in His glory is exactly what I want to do. "I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes." Job 42:5 Once that happens, we cannot help but live with joy!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pamela BlosserJanuary 06, 2016

    Oh how He loves it when we live abundantly. Beautiful piece. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Job can be such an encouraging book to read! We are not alone in our suffering! "Live" is such a powerful word to have for the coming year...I have a few different signs in my house that possess this word - One being "Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God." The other, of course says it all for this lake-dweller. "LIVE, LOVE, LAKE" :) Many prayers for a year of living fully blessed!!! Your friend always, Ann

    ReplyDelete
  11. Karen Del TattoJanuary 07, 2016

    Joan, Thank you so much for your honesty and transparency. Some of your feelings resonate with the rut I have found myself in.

    I love the insight you shared about Job. Such encouragement!

    It was a blessing to visit here today.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is just beautiful. The book of Job is such an inspiration to me, a comfort. I love the fact that Job found a way to never, ever give up on God. He ranted amidst the blows, yes, but his heart remained true.


    I really like those *four words* too. I have trouble just living life, without being afraid of it or discouraged by it or analyzing it. LIVE - what a great word, what a great faith journey!


    Looking forward to hearing more about it.


    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm so glad you stopped by here today, Karen! I love sharing the things that God shows me in God's word...and what a surprising place to be encouraged - in Job! Blessings to you, Joan

    ReplyDelete
  14. Over the years, I have found so much in Job that has been helpful! I love how he remains true to God even when facing such incredible trials! Though the things that I've experienced pale in comparison to Job, I am so encouraged that God blessed Him...and he lived!


    Blessings, Joan

    ReplyDelete
  15. Joan, I'm so glad that you're moving forward. Looking back only serves to turn us into a pillar of salt, like Lot's wife. It keeps us paralyzed, preventing us from moving forward. So, march on, forward on, keep on!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so agree...and I'm tired of being frozen in my tracks not fully living today. I know that with God by my side I'll find the courage and strength to keep moving forward!

      Blessings, Joan

      Delete
  16. Praying as you LIVE this year!!! Blessings! #livefreeThursday

    ReplyDelete
  17. Live and live abundantly. Yes.. Amen. We must never forget that we must keep moving forward. Praying as you live and live abundantly this year and each year. God Bless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so agree! Thank you for praying, Angie! Blessings to you as well!

      In His grip, Joan

      Delete

Join the conversation! (Be sure to add your first name so I know who I'm talking to!)