Each year, I pray and ask God if there is a word for the year ahead for me to focus on, grab hold of and believe in. I know many people do this and it has become a tradition in my family for everyone to choose one or two words for the New Year.
This year I felt the word, Hope, drop into my heart. After a little more praying and pondering it expanded into Hopeful Expectation.
In the past, I have felt a little scared to get my hopes up in case things didn’t go the way I was ‘hoping’ or expecting they would.
However, God has stirred something inside me to ‘get my hopes up’, to have a hopeful expectation. While I don’t mean everything I desire will magically happen in the timing or the way I may want it to go or envision it to go, rather it is a hopeful expectation that God will move and to make sure I give him the space to do this.
Making room for God to move
The older we get, the more we (hopefully) discover about ourselves, how we operate, our thinking patterns, how we learn, our likes and dislikes etc.
I have discovered, especially since having children, that I can be a bit of a planner and I like to have a schedule to help life go smoothly. This can at times filter down into my spiritual life as well. I felt God say over the summer break, ‘make sure in your planning you leave room for me to move.’
God wants to move in our lives, we just need to be willing and open for him to disrupt our plans in case he has something ‘better’ for us and for the people in our lives.
I think it is okay to make plans but to remain open for God to change them.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs chapter 19, verse 21)
Rarely we see the whole picture, the word says, your word is a lamp to my feet… not a massive glaring spotlight! Our part is to take the next step and trust God will guide us the rest of the way.
Seek and surrender
I have often prayed and asked God what do you want me to do? What is my next step? I have felt God has directed my steps and has opened and closed doors but sometimes I have forgotten to be specific in my asking.
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew chapter 7, verse 7)
What are we seeking for in our spiritual lives? Are we hungry for more of him? Are we hoping for miracles, signs and wonders? A fresh move from the Holy Spirit? Are we asking the Holy Spirit to renew our minds and thoughts?
I have to admit sometimes I have done the asking and seeking part, but then I have stopped there and have become discouraged if what I was hoping and praying for didn’t happen. But it does say, keep on asking and keep on seeking.
Prayer is powerful
Prayer really is so powerful, we are praying to Almighty God after all! Religion wants to turn prayer into something by rote and more of a token gesture, yet relationship is about intimacy which comes about through time spent with him. It is because of Jesus we have this privilege to be able to boldly come into God’s throne room.
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews chapter 4 verse 16)
I am challenged to be specific and consistent in my prayers while resting in God’s unfailing, steadfast love he has for us. He loves us and wants the best for us.
We are just a couple of months into the new year and already I have been absolutely blown away with what God has done in my life and in my family’s life. I pray you have a hopeful expectation of what God can do in and through you and your loved ones this year!