My One Word for 2016 {Know}
I found my six-year-old son’s wish list for Christmas and laughed when I saw he wanted a robot to do his homework for him.
As his mom, I know better. I know homework will help him, and will prepare him for the quizzes, tests and exams that will come. I love him too much to let him skip his homework because I know what is good for him.
Likewise Jesus knows what is good and beneficial for me. He’s the greatest teacher ever. He knows what lies ahead. He knows where I need testing. He knows that my “homework” is good for me, too. When I struggle with discipline, time management and listening, God is gracious to meet with me everyday to mold, teach, refine and train me. But, it is up to me to do my homework. It is up to me to study. It’s up to me to show up. I have to trust, and be willing to have my faith stretched. When I mess up, I have to be willing to try again. When I fall, I have to be willing to stand back up. When I want to move, I have to practice being still.
Recently, I went into a worship service exhausted and overwhelmed. I was stressed about things way beyond my control, and I was longing to be refreshed. I sensed in my rattled spirit His still small voice saying to me, “You don’t know me.”
WHAT???
And just like that, it hit me. Maybe I really don’t know Him. Because if I really truly knew HIM, I would not be sitting here in a praise service fretting over things I can’t change. I wouldn’t be trying to think of what I could do to fix it, but would trust and rely on Him to come through. I know in my mind that He is in control, but I don’t always act like He is. At times, I run ahead of Him thinking I have to fight the battle all alone because that is the lie from the past that I used to believe. The trauma of childhood sexual abuse not only affected the way I view myself, but it most certainly affected the way I view God. In the chaotic response of fight, flight or freeze, it’s hard to find Him. Thankfully, He is teaching me a new way… “to be still and know”.
He wants me to know Him. To study Him. To know His character inside and out. His names. His ways. His power.
To know that when I am bone-weary and tired: HE IS MY STRENGTH. (Psalm 28:7)
To know that when I am afraid: HE IS MY PROTECTOR. (Psalm 116:6)
To know that when I am depressed: HE IS THE LIFTER OF MY HEAD. (Psalm 3:3)
Somehow, I can “know” these things and yet my first response to anxiety, is to grab carbs drenched in sugar. Instead of running to Him, I return to old coping skills. Old ways.
I spent 2015 discovering how He makes All Things New. In 2016, I want to know Him. I am going to do my homework and learn new skills, new ways.
I wrote, GOD IS… and I started in Psalms.
My word for 2016 is “Know”. I want to know Him more! Join me?
Sometimes our past can really alter how we see GOD, and how we experience who HE is in our lives. If we have been running in our own strength for so long, it is hard to just surrender and rely on HIS strength. It takes practice, and we have to be intentional. The old is gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I want to know Him fully. Do you want to join me? Using the prompt, God is… how will you know Him better in 2016? What truths of His word will you discover about His character? What will you do to be still & know ? Follow along using the hashtag #knowGodis. I can’t wait to see what He shows us!
Prayer: God, help us to be still and KNOW that you are God. Guide us to the places in your Word that will show us the truth of who you are in our lives. Help us to live in that truth and to respond in that truth. Erase the lies God and replace them with your truth. Open our eyes, Lord and help us to truly see you. God, give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know you better. Ephesians 1:17
Happy New Year to you! What is your word for 2016?
May “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2
***The picture at the top is from the amazing new coloring book, “Whatever is Lovely: A coloring book for Reflection & Worship” by WaterBrook Press. I love it!
Linking up with Bonnie Gray:
Great devotion!! You strong talented!!! Enjoyed reading!!! Love you!!
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you, love you too <3
I so identify with your hurts and longings, Michelle, and those dreadful effects of sexual abuse concerning our view of God or of ourselves. Yes, I will join you in wanting to know God more fully! I have decided my One Word will be “open.” I want to open my heart to deeper healing. I plan to have a post ready next week Tuesday with more details. I love the prayer and am praying it with you. May God show you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that you may come to know Him more in this coming year! Hugs!
I love your word, Trudy and I can’t wait to read your post!! Thank you so much for your encouragement – you are truly a blessing to me. I look forward to praising Him for the work He will continue to do in each of us! Blessings to you in 2016! Happy New Year!
Thank you, Michelle. I’m so grateful I can encourage you through this journey of healing. You certainly are a blessing to me as well. When I read your posts, I feel less alone. Let’s hold hands and together look forward to praising Him for what He will continue to work in each of us. 🙂 He has promised to get us through it all, and His promises never fail! Big hugs!
Joining hands and praising Him with you. He is Faithful! Happy New Year to you,Trudy!
Power packed message.
I’ve pinned each photo on my Encouragement board in Pinterest. Others need this message.
Michelle, may the Lord shower you with His favor in this new year.
Shine on!
Thank you so much Carolyn for sharing and encouraging me! Praying His blessings for you in 2016 as you continue to SHINE for Him! Happy New Year to you!
What beautiful encouragement for the new year, Michelle. I needed this! Thank you for sharing with such vulnerability and hope. I pray that God blesses you more and more as you know Him better in 2016! My word is “abide,” and my prayer is that I know God more as I learn how to abide better with Him too.
Lyneta,
I love the word Abide and I can’t wait to see how God blesses you in 2016 as you draw near to Him! Praying with you for us to know Him better! Happy New Year to you!
I appreciate these encouraging words here. I was just feeling down in my spirit about the Lord not knowing what *I* need, but you’re reminding me that the more I know *Him*, the more I’ll see how crazy that thought is. Of course he does know me fully, and he invites me to know him more fully too. Thanks!
Thank you Lisa for being here and sharing your heart! So thankful for you and your encouraging words. Blessings to you!
Michelle, this was absolutely stunning. I had one of those rough days today and such a long and worried questioning time with God. This was a blessing. Funny how a post from days ago can be so timely. Love your word Michelle! I haven’t chosen a word this year, but my heart’s cry has been exactly what you have shared. Thanks. 🙂
Hey Kelly!! Thank you for stopping by and I am so thankful you were blessed on a rough day. I love HIS timing – incredible and amazing. Praying He gives you your heart’s cry for 2016! Big hugs to you!
Dear Michelle, I have not been in your blog for a quiet while. It is so refresh, encouraging. it is just what I want to do in 2016 to know Him more. My word for 2016 is Focus and Joy. To Focus on The Lord and His Word. Be Joy in all things.
Yanzhen, I love your words – Focus and Joy. Very powerful and I can’t wait to see what He shows you in 2016! Happy New Year to you and thank you for your kind words! You are a blessing to me, and I thank the Lord for our friendship!