Happy New Year: One Word

2013 is about to close, and a new chapter, a blank page is about to be set down before us.  What kind of story will be written this year?  I am ready to find out.  

For the second year, I am participating in One Word.  Over the past month, I mulled over a few words that were relevant and significant to me.  I believe the word God has for me this year is "Live".  I know the idea behind One Word is how do you want to "live" your life, but I felt like there was more to this for me.  

Of course, I want to live more fully, freely, joyfully, thankfully, giving, and all those other good things.  However, I believe God wants to me to just live.  To not hide under the bed sheets and in the corners of rooms with crowds, not to hide behind the mask of depression.  Rather, to bring to life the things that I've let die a little over time, frustrations and unbelief.  

The scripture that has popped up over and over to me since August has been Ezekiel 37:1-14.  God asked Ezekiel "Son of man, can these bones live?"  He told Ezekiel to prophesy to these dead, dry bones.  He told him to prophesy "live" and God would breathe new life to them, and they would know that God was the LORD.

Here is what leaps out to me.  Ezekiel obeyed God and prophesied.  Those bones came together and God re-created their bodies, down to the very veins and tissues to come to life again.  Verse 11 says "Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.  Behold, they say 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off."  

Let's substitute something there for bones.  Our dreams are dried up.  Our hope is dried up.  Our gifts are dried up.  Our love is dried up.  Our life is dried up.  Our motivation is dried up.  Our ____________ is dried up.  Our hope is lost.    

God is impressing on me that He wants to re-create areas in my life that are dried up.  Things I've set aside, either by burying them or by neglecting them.  He wants to resurrect life in me.  Hope in me.  Optimism in me.  It's not for my glory, but His alone.  

When others can see the life of God in me, then I'm fulfilling my call in this life.  If I walk around without life, or without living fully, how am I drawing others to the goodness of God.  For too long, I've allowed life to suck the good life out of me.  The "joy unspeakable and full of glory" kind of life.  The "God is good all the time" kind of life.  

So, instead of making a New Year's resolution, I am choosing One Word to shape my year.  This year, I am going to LIVE.  That may mean fewer posts from me.  It will likely mean less time on Twitter or Facebook or any other social media site because, really, what good is living when it's through other people's pictures.  I still enjoy those things, but not so many hours a week.

My hope is that this year, we will all find our life hidden in Christ.  That our relationship with Him will be more intentional and will grow more intimate.  I pray that we will be led by the Holy Spirit in all things, even the small decisions.  I hope that we will live life to the fullest.  

"Wherever you are, be all there."  I have lived the runner, panting ahead in worry, pounding back in regrets, terrified to live in the present, because here-time asks me to do the hardest of all: just open wide and receive."  - Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

   

A Thankful Heart: Remembering to THINK

Can you believe she wore that?  

I heard...about her.  

A friend of a friend of a friend told me...  

Did you know they...?

I really don't like this person because...

"Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!"  Psalm 141:3

Has something ever slipped out of your mouth without passing through the logic in your brain first?  I can't tell you how many times I've wished I could hit rewind and delete on words that have flowed out of my mouth.  Careless words that weigh down the hearer and the one from whose mouth they flowed.

Words that may not have even been said directly to someone, but about someone.  Gossip.  Words that may have been pointed directly at the person to prove a point.  To puff out my own chest, to stack pride upon pride.  

I know I have said things and later regretted the very thought that would have triggered the words.  I have been praying each day Psalm 141:3 (above) and Psalm 119:14 "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."

It's my prayer that my words bring people closer to Jesus, not drive a wedge between me and them, or more importantly, between them and Jesus.  There is an old saying that my dietitian had hanging in her dining room:  Before you speak: T.H.I.N.K.

T ~ Is it True?
H ~ Is it Helpful?
I  ~ Is it Inspiring?
N ~ Is it Necessary?
K ~ Is it Kind?

If it doesn't fall under these categories, then does it really need to be said or spread?  Probably not.  There are probably very few exceptions where it would be pleasing to God, and respectful or honoring others to talk about them or talk to them in a way that would shed a negative light on them.   

Friend, let me encourage you to speak life where dead words want to flow.  Infuse wisdom where ever you can, and let God's word fill you up for that wisdom to flow.  It's not always easy to say kind things when you've been hurt, but kind words heal.  

It's not always necessary to get the last word in.  Maybe God wants us to be quiet for a turn.  It's not always easy to inspire someone who has drained the very hope out of you that they need.  Find hope in Him and keep on inspiring.  Sometimes speaking the truth is not helpful, so use wisdom when needing to tell someone the truth about someone else.  

Sometimes, a kind word will bring healing to a situation where it seemed impossible.  Words of life, love and wisdom bring people closer to Jesus.  They draw people to Him.  They will also uplift and bring life to you as you speak them.  
It's funny that I have to learn this lesson over and over.  I am forever reminded each time I tell my children to be kind with their words.  I pray that I am setting a good example for them to know that they can trust me with their secrets, and that they can see through the life I live that speaking positive of others is the best policy.

Father, we've all been guilty of repeating something or saying something that didn't honor you.  We repent for those times where we've not been wise with words.  I ask that you would set a guard over our mouth and keep watch over the door of our lips.  Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord.  I thank you, God, for giving us wise words, words of life to speak into any situation, even the one's that seem impossible in our eyes.  Give us wisdom in all circumstances and fill our mouths with praise at all times.  In Jesus Name, Amen.