As I was getting ready to write blogs in preparation for Christmas and New Year’s, I got a sense God was inviting me to take two weeks off to spend quality time with my friends and family. To take a break from the hustle and bustle and just sit quietly … more time with Him, more time with family and more time to rest and refresh before 2019 begins as well as all the busyness that goes with a new year.
However, I also felt like God was nudging me to offer an invitation to each one of you. What if, in the next two weeks, you decided to get quiet with God and ask Him one or more of the following questions:
- Is there a specific goal God wants me to focus on in 2019?
- Does God have a special word He wants me to focus on in 2019?
- Does God have a special verse He wants to give to me for 2019?
In December of 2012, I was reading a blog I regularly subscribe to and the author was talking about the word God had given her for 2013, as well as some of the words God had given her in past years. Before then I had never heard about asking God for a specific word He would want me to focus on for an entire year. The thought excited me and I wondered if I asked, if God would give me a word too. He did! Each and every year since then, I’ve asked God for a specific word for the following year, sometimes asking as early as August, because, I like to prepare ahead of time.
How, you might ask, did I know a specific word was the one God was giving to me? Have you ever bought a new car (or new to you) and as soon as you buy it, it’s the only kind of car you notice on the street? Our son recently bought a Jeep Patriot and I had no idea how many Jeeps were in our town until he signed on the dotted line.
For me, it’s the same type of thing. I asked God for a specific word and then I paid attention around me and see if a specific word started appearing more than usual. They would show up in Bible verses, on signs, even on Facebook. One memory I have in particular was when Grace was my word for the year and I was surfing Facebook and clicked on pictures of a random house for sale. On the bathroom counter was a decoration that said, “Grace.”
Some of the words He has given me have included: Moderation/Balance, Grace, Hope, Peace, Joy/Blessings, Be Still/Watch/Wait. In 2018, when I started praying for my word for 2019, God actually gave me two words: Delight and Victory. I asked God to confirm the word delight for me … and this is the first year He has used Scripture more than any other means to assure me “delight” is one of my words. Victory, my other word, has been showing up regularly in Christian blogs, Scripture, messages, and people speaking it over my life. I’m excited to see what God has in store with those two words … especially since Be Still/Watch/Wait were my words for 2018.
Another very special conversation I have with God regularly is about a specific verse He wants to speak over my life and my season. For me, verses sometimes last a year, sometimes six months, sometimes several verses in one year or sometimes He will give me back a verse from a previous year: It’s similar to when He gives me the word of the year. I will see the same verse at least 2-3 times in the beginning (that’s my signal from God to pay special attention) and then He usually confirms it even further from there.
Some of my favorite verses over the years have been: Exodus 14:13-14; II Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 43:19 and my favorite verse from this past year: Psalm 46:10. Each one of them has spoken directly to my heart during a time when I needed the reassurance in my life that can only come from Scripture.
So … as I get off Facebook and my blog for two weeks to Be Still/Watch/Wait and spend more time with our Heavenly Father and my family, I want to encourage you.
Do any of these suggestions speak to your heart?
Are you excited thinking that God could have a specific goal, verse or word He wants to speak directly into your life?
As I love to say, the God we serve is so individual, so personal. He wants nothing more than to have a personal relationship with each one of us. He created each one of us and knows what will speak directly to our heart. My invitation to you is to get quiet with God and ask … because when we ask with a humble, expectant spirit, He will answer.
If God reveals a special verse or a word for 2019 and you want to share that with me, I’d love to hear from you. Comment in the section below. I’m excited to see what God has planned for your New Year!
© Cheri Swalwell 2018