A Word for 2021

Every year I ask the Lord to give me a word for the upcoming year. A word to represent vision and direction. I have to tell you, my first words were quite unusual!

Parachute- 2016

Ripcord-2017

Jump- 2018

No matter how crazy they seem, I promise you that they held great meaning for me at the time. I needed Him to be my parachute, my safety net. I needed to know I could pull the ripcord to open that chute anytime I needed it. I also needed a little push to jump- to take that dive in faith.

This past year, the infamous 2020, I feel like I failed. My word was “speak.” Although I did try to engage people online through my words and videos, I am definitely aware that I could have done more. I played it too safe. Yes, I can blame 2020, but it was still my choices that played it safe. I pulled inside myself, limited my interactions with the world. Silence tried its best to conquer me.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6

What can man do to me? That’s a loaded question, isn’t it? Rejection, anger, job security, acceptance- they all come from man. But- if we really trust- if we REALLY trust the Lord, do they matter at all?

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. Psalm 118:6 NIV

In 2021, I have a powerful mission ahead. No more playing it safe.

RISK- my word for 2021.

What does that mean? All I know, is that I am being asked to trust more completely, believe more deeply and be willing to risk my own thoughts and feelings. I can’t help but feel the importance of this. Somewhere, there is someone who needs me to take a risk to reach them. Sometime, I will need to speak the truth even though it may be hard. I want to have those difficult conversations. Talk about those things we don’t like to admit.

There are those who will not agree. There will be those who don’t want to hear. We have families in crisis due to addiction. We know men and women who need help. There are hurting people who may be hurting other people. Even in our churches. In 2020, I let the world steal my word. Not this time. RISK…. and maybe, hopefully, I will be able to speak what didn’t get said….

Are you with me? Will you follow and help me risk myself to help others? Let’s open up those difficult conversations….

Do you know your word? Post a comment and share!