Words for 2023 - Let's Go!

Surrender is a word that was given to me on the last Haiti trip in 2021. I didn’t get excited about that word because that is an act of submission and giving up of alllllll the plans and things. However, when God asks us to give something, He replaces it with something far more fulfilling and life changing. How beautiful is the thought of surrendering fully to know that every need will be met by Christ. He is for us. Sometimes it’s something physically tangible but sometimes it’s more of Him. That’s challenging sometimes because we expect certain replacements but more of Him is all satisfying and nothing can fill that void. That hope I mentioned in previous writings is one that cannot be shaken or deterred because of the faithfulness of the Father. Who am I kidding? I definitely have moments of questioning where God is in the midst of waiting. However that doesn’t change the fact that He honors promises. So why not surrender??

Joke is on me because God gave me that word for 2023 and I flat out told him I don’t want it. Anyone else not shocked at that response? I am so thankful that He can handle the spunk better than anyone. “Uhhh Lord, I would rather have a different one. A better one even. Why can’t you give me something sparkly or funny?” Apparently there’s already enough in my life that’s hilarious and sparkly. Who knew?

Waiting…it’s not wasted. I can say that with the utmost confidence. While we make mistakes or have things that happen to us, that’s okay. Those mistakes or consequences do NOT define who we are or were made to be. What matters is that we walk in obedience. Which, in turn, leads me to the second word for 2023.- Endurance - it’s not easy and it comes from persevering. Continuing to move forward is challenging but it refines us. We are made to look more like Jesus as we strive to walk towards his leading. As we work on the parts of us that look least like Christ, the broken parts get repaired and the weak muscles are strengthened. We don’t have to finish this race a specific way or looking like others. We just have to do the dang thing. While surrender and endurance are often perceived negatively, they don’t have to be that way. Both require an open handed posture of sorts. If I’m surrendering my full self to whatever it is Christ has for me, it opens up space for Him to move me where He wants me or to place something in in that spot. YES LORD!

Enduring through true surrender will lead to joy in new ways and while I’m hesitant, I’m hopeful. Cheers to 2023 and the joy to come.