For the past three years at the start of the new year, I have chosen a word or phrase that I carry with me throughout the year.

For example:

2021: Wonder

2020: Be bold

2019: Community

The way the word comes to me is far from planned. Twice my word came to me unexpectedly during a sermon, one was through a series of not-so-subtle repeated nudges that I tried to ignore but couldn’t shake.

I took a different approach this year. I prayed. I was planning an epic prayer where I laid everything on the line. When I was through I was prepared to sit in silence and soak in anything the Lord placed on my heart. I found a comfortable spot, dimmed the lights, cuddled up in a blanket equipped with a pen, paper, and my Bible. And a water bottle, because I assumed I was in for the long haul. I was ready to crush this prayer.

What ACTUALLY happened was something like this:

Me: Dear God, I’m starting to think about what I want my 2022 focus to be…

God: STRENGTH!

Me: Uh….okay. Thanks and Amen.

It was both shocking and awesome. And then a tiny bit confusing.

Strength has so many layers. So many opportunities. So many directions. What part of “strength” was God pointing me toward?

I chose…all the directions.

Strength: spiritually

Strength: mentally

Strength: emotionally

Strength: physically

Strength: socially

I have a notecard tacked to my bulletin board that I can see if I lift my eyes slightly from my laptop.

Can you read it? Kidding. I have a LOT of inspiration tacked to my bulletin board. What it says is:

I’ll be honest, I have no idea where those words came from, but it clearly affected me enough to make my wall of fame and remain there.

I love the idea of God being active in my life. It doesn’t say: God has renewed my mind. Or, God will renew my mind. It says, God IS renewing and realigning, and GIVING me strength. Not only is He active in my life, He is giving me STRENGTH to walk where He is leading me.

Does anyone else need a healthy dose of strength for the new year?

I was researching Bible verses with the word “strength” in them. “Strength” (or its derivatives) is mentioned over 300 times in the Bible. The verse that stood out to me was in Nehemiah 8:10, the joy of the Lord is your strength!

Does anyone remember singing this song from Sunday school? I’ll give you a preview:

Ahh memories (and this song will be in my head the rest of the day!)

Before typing the verse here, I wanted to research it to make sure it wasn’t one of those tricky Bible verses that gets taken out of context.

Nehemiah was a former governor and cup bearer to the king who felt the call to travel to Jerusalem to help the city – and the people – get back on their feet. He was a man of action with a commanding presence. When he spoke people listened. He was able to help the people rebuild the wall around Jerusalem in merely 52 days!

In chapter 8 of Nehemiah, the people of Jerusalem were gathered while the priest Ezra read from the Book of the Law of Moses, which outlined the rules God had commanded His people follow.

As Ezra read, the people realized how far they had fallen from God’s commands and began to weep. At this time Nehemiah stepped in and said in verse 10 (my words), “Listen up people. You have been behaving pretty poorly but the good news is that we have a forgiving God. So from now on, clean up your act! Go and celebrate that you have recognized your faults and are going to right this ship! Invite others to celebrate along with you. God is soooo happy you are changing. Don’t be sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

I love this! New beginnings (2022, anyone?). God won’t leave your side, not for a second. Even if you fall and find it hard to get back up again, God’s hand will always be reaching down to help you. Take God’s hand and He will give you strength you never imagined you could have – spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, socially – or any other “ally” you can think of. God’s got you. God’s got me.

The joy of the Lord is MY strength. And it’s YOUR strength.

Happy 2022 everyone. Let’s make it the best year yet!

Until Next Time,

Neko