Every year for the past several years, I ask God for a word to bring into the new year. This word serves as a foundation upon which I base my time spent in God’s presence. I spend the year attempting to discover what God has for me through this word and why He chose it. Some years I question whether that word actually came from God or if I somehow manifested it in my head and said it was from God. Other years, I’ve heard God speak the word so clearly to me. 2018 was one of those years.
When God gave me the word “seek,” I knew why. I knew my heart craved a deeper relationship with the Father. I reflected on Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” I knew what God was telling me to do, and I approached the new year with anticipation, knowing I would truly experience God throughout the year.
My year of seeking began with committing to two things. First, I committed to a Bible in One Year plan. I’ve read through and studied most of the Bible over the course of five years, but I wanted to commit to a plan that would take me through the entire Bible. I started this plan with the intention of finishing before the close of 2018, but I did get off track at times. I’m currently on Day 336 of 365. Reading and studying with intention and diligence has been a great blessing. I’ve sought God in Scripture, and I’ve found Him.
Second, I committed to a prayer journal. I created a template and bound it in a notebook. Though not fancy, it’s been a place of refuge. Within its pages, I’ve documented answered prayers, reflections, prayer requests, acts of service, goals and dreams. Several pages are blank because life happened – I forgot to write, I fell asleep early, I got busy with whatever was going on. Still, it serves as a testament to my journey and God’s faithfulness throughout 2018. I can’t wait to make a new one for 2019. I’ve sought God through prayer, and I’ve found Him.
My year of seeking included service, short Biblical devotionals, experiencing nature and its beauty. I’ve sought God in each of these things, and I’ve found Him. It’s been a wonderful year that now draws to a close. I prayed for a word for 2019 and clearly heard God speak LISTEN to me. This word will bring many new adventures and great insight into my life. I still carry the word SEEK with me into 2019 because it’s something I never want to stop doing. I pray blessing upon you and yours and encourage you to ask God to give you a word, too. Happy New Year!
~ Sarah Kline
