My rhythm and reset this year will be receiving and giving grace.
I'm thinking that receiving God's grace this year won't be much fun because it means I am going to be confronting my failures, but I'm also remembering that it means I'll be absorbing both God's forgiveness and favor inside of them.
I love how God weaves. I always get nostalgic at the end of a year, like I'm leaving it behind. I even have trouble giving up my word from last year (I know I'm ridiculous). I may or may not be tearing up right now when I think about moving from abiding. God assured me that isn't what I am doing at all, on the contrary, He is weaving "abide" into the application of this year's word. I'll be working on abiding in grace. I'm going to stay awhile in it and soak it up until my fingers get all pruny. All of that to say:
Don't forget to take what you learned last year with you. Keep it close.
Here are some verses that I want to fully explore and apply during the days of 2024.
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16&17
Notice how grace and truth go together. They are a tag team. I can confront the truth about myself when I have first understood grace upon grace, with abundance heaped on top. Grace goes beyond mercy. We do not get what we deserve for our sins in God's mercy, but beyond that we are also granted blessing and favor. That is grace. That makes this year sound pretty great if you say I am poised to explore God's blessing and favor.
We can't forget this verse, it's one of those that I didn't really realize had the word grace in it before I started looking and then it was as plain as the nose on my face.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8&9
Grace makes sure we can't boast. When grade is understood, applied, and received as a gift, the need to boast gets swallowed up. There is no need to prove a thing. It's sage, I don't have to make sure I'm noticed or make a way for myself. I get to rest in grace.
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14
I need to think through all the implications of this one. I really need to unpack the ways that grace reminds me that sin isn't my master, I don't have to bow to any temptation, or succumb to Satan's schemes or plans. I can look long and hard at God's favor and realize I am not stuck in any sin. Not only is there mercy for forgiveness there is grace to walk out in. It's a steady foundation for my wobbly efforts. I am no longer under the law, but under the freedom of God's grace.
I haven't even hit the tip of the iceberg. I feel sure I will blog more about grace this year, so if you haven't picked a word for the year yet, consider this my invitation to explore grace with me.
Please, if you choose grace for your word this year, let me know! I love team work. I'd love to pray for you.