Devotions

Do You Have A Word?

Genesis 1:1-2 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” 

Do you have a “word for the year?” Several of my friends have recently asked me what my word for this year is and it has given me reason to pause. After living through 2020, my first inclination was for my word to be “grace.” A genuine grace is one we offer to others when we are loving well as we reflect the grace we are given by God. After spending some time praying and thinking, I have moved to the word “breathe.”   

I don’t know about you, but I have spent a lot of time in the past year taking deep breaths and asking the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts, words, and actions so that I will reflect to the world the presence of Christ in me. I truly desire to be a light in this world, and I must admit, this is not always the case. From the beginning of time, the Spirit of God has brought light to the darkness. We read this in the very first sentences of the first book of the Bible. I am grateful for this reminder that no matter where we find ourselves, the Spirit of God is hovering over our waters.  

Maybe your waters are a little tumultuous right now. Maybe you are in a season of “calm waters.” Or you could be in a wilderness season and feeling a bit lost. Wherever we might find ourselves, we know we can cling to the truth of Christmas and know that we are never alone. God is with us and knows our deepest needs.   

Having a “word for this year” is helpful and encouraging. It challenges us to grow and to be mindful of our need to be transformed by God. I pray that you will live in the ultimate word – God’s Word - in the coming year. Doing so will teach you, guide you, give you hope, and I am convinced the Word of God will remind me to breathe! 

Redeeming the Time

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 

We are just a couple of weeks into the new year and we are returning to the routine we practiced before the holidays. Schools are back in session, holiday decorations have been put away for another year, and we are hoping that the pandemic will begin to lessen as persons get vaccinated. Those I talk to are feeling hopeful about this year, especially if you contrast it to the struggles and complications of last year. 

This verse in Jeremiah points to a hopeful tomorrow. Jeremiah affirms that God is in control and has good things in store. This is a powerful promise, but we must be careful to read and understand the context of the promise. Sometimes well-meaning Christians believe this is a guarantee of worldly success, with health and welfare our lot in life. Some think that all we do is claim the promise and all will be well with us. That is not what it says. 

Jeremiah ministered before and during the Babylonian exile when the kingdom of Judah suffered expulsion from the promised land for their unfaithfulness. Jeremiah had warned them and pleaded for repentance, and when they did not change, the King of Babylon conquered them and took them off into exile. It is during the exile that Jeremiah writes to them, encouraging them to build houses, settle in the land, and seek the welfare of all. 

The verse above comes next as a promise from God that one day they would return to Israel and their home. God was not done with the people, but also did not protect them from the consequences of their actions. The Israelites would return to Judah eventually, and God would help them rebuild their lives. Here we have the assurance that God will take care of us and that, despite the trouble of today, better days are ahead for those who trust the Lord and follow in faithfulness. 

Yes, the past year has been difficult and threatening. Many among us have lost loved ones and livelihoods. We grieve over these losses, but we know that eventually things will get better. The lesson is this: Even when the way is tough, our God is with us, and in the end all will be well. All will be well. 

Thanks be to God.