Preparation

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:13-14, NIV).

The last few years, I’ve chosen a word to focus on during the coming year. I started doing this because it was trendy, but it has been something I’ve really enjoyed over the last few years. It helps me focus, gives me perspective, and often encourages me to step into obedience in ways I might not have had the courage to otherwise.

Each year the word comes to me in different ways. It might be from something I read, other times it’s a prayer, or maybe it’s a spoken word from a friend. Admittedly, I have had years come and go that, when I reflect back later, the word still doesn’t fully make sense to me. Thankfully, we serve a God that calls us to faith and obedience, not full understanding.

My word this year is preparation. There were several words that bounced around in my head prior to this one, and it actually came to me on the edge of a dream. I don’t fully remember the details now, just that I woke with this word on my heart and felt the Lord calling me to lean into a time of preparation.

Preparing my heart for the desires that I continually pray the Lord has for my future can be challenging. Maintaining hope in the face of disappointments, external pressures, and attacks from the enemy is not always easy. However, when we are committed to a life of walking with Jesus, even if life doesn’t look how we thought it might, it is faith and trust in the One who knows all that overrides everything.

This year I am preparing myself by leaning into the desires of my heart that have yet to be fulfilled: a husband who loves the Lord, a marriage that honors Jesus, and a family raised on the foundation of Christ as our Lord and Savior. The picture I included as part of this devotional displays some items I recently purchased online. If you take a look at the top of the picture, you’ll see two items that I specifically chose as part of preparing my heart: a book called Hymns for a Mother’s Heart and a prayer journal for marriage.

Though I am only a few weeks into this commitment, it is already repositioning my heart, fixating my focus on Jesus, and filling me with hope. Hope for a husband, future marriage, and family that stands on the principles of Jesus, yes. But more than that, the hope that we only know fully as believers and followers of Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:13–14 says: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. I know sometimes I can get caught up in my own wants, needs, and desires, but this scripture reminds me to seek God’s will for my life above all else.

We must lean into the truth that God hears us. We may not receive all the things that our hearts desire, which may be absolutely heartbreaking, but nothing can compare to the promise of eternal life that we are granted when we believe in the name of Jesus.

I want to encourage you today to pray about a word that may guide you through 2022, even beyond. Most of all, when you pause and pray, I believe the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart and provide all that you need for every step of your journey.

I am committed to preparation in 2022. I can’t wait to see where God leads, and I am grateful to share some of it with you along the way.

#worship #desires #prayer #courage #faith #obedience #hope #jesus #heart #preparation