JOY Blog |
(The JOY Blog Editor apologizes for posting this article late. But, as you'll read, the message is timeless.)
The first month of this new year is almost in the books. And, though the time has really flown by quickly, I can honestly say I’ve spent most of the first four weeks of it quietly, but earnestly, working to grasp all the facets of the One Word God allowed to be illuminated for me in 2015.
This is my fourth year of eschewing the practice of setting New Year’s resolutions (or, as I used to call them, New Year’s revolutions) and choosing instead to allow One Word to guide my heart, mind, body, and soul. I do still set some intentions for the year - and I’ll always believe in the practice of goal-setting - but the concept of One Word has grabbed onto me in the very best way and refuses to let go.
This year’s One Word isn’t the word I thought it’d be. And, quite frankly, it challenges - and even scares - me some.
As far as I can tell, it is a word that God wants to use to stretch and grow me in ways that will allow me to rely on all I learned from my previous One Words. Amazing how He works like that so often, isn’t it? Letting nothing go to waste. Using each and every stitch of our lives to weave His love and care and presence into them for His purposes and glory.
When I think of 2015’s One Word, I have that ‘clicking-slowly-to-the-top-of-a-scary-but-exciting-roller-coaster’ feeling in my gut. That ‘pterodactyl-sized-butterfly’ thing going on whenever I sit with all this One Word means. And I’m so relieved God’s not going to leave me alone as I pull apart, and put together, all He has in store in light of it.
You see, my One Word is SHINE.
For a gal who’s gotten mostly used to, and comfortable with, hiding in various ways these last many years, the thought of having to step forth and SHINE is sort of disconcerting.
And when I find myself getting too worked up by all the trepidation that thought causes, I’m so grateful that I’ve realized that to SHINE as a Jesus follower is really just allowing myself to reflect His Light.
No manufacturing my own brilliance.
No flipping the ‘On’ switch to beam some bright, artificial spotlight on my attempts at cleverness.
No igniting the false light that brings the world to ‘ooo’s’ and ‘ahhhh’s’.
Just reflecting the Light of the One who created it in the first place.
That’s the kind of shining I think I can do.