Believe it or not I’ve been thinking about my word for next year, and as I recall it was this time last year that I found my word for this year. That has me thinking that for me God wants my year to start in September. Who am I to argue?

This year’s word has been “more,” and I honestly didn’t know if that meant getting my novel published or giving more of myself to God. The feeling I got from “more” was that I hadn’t been trusting God to give to me the way this following scripture describes.

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭AMP

But when my new word popped into my head, it felt like a continuation of what he was showing me. My new year’s word is “pursue.” This word also holds a double meaning for me, not only am I to pursue God, but he is pursuing me.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.‬‬

Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV

Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run and hide from your face? If I go up to heaven, you’re there! If I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too! If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there! If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting! Wherever I go, your hand will guide me; your strength will empower me.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭TPT

In the novel I’m writing, Calla has an enchanted compass to guide her on her journey, but her compass gets stolen and she is unsure what to do. Fortunately, our guidance from the Holy Spirit can’t be stolen. Unfortunately, we can still get lost and unsure of what to do when we ignore his presence.

Calla goes to great lengths to get her compass back while at the same time staying true to her desire to help people. Like Calla, I can stay true to God’s call on my life while doing everything in my power to seek God’s guiding hand.

In my story there are times Calla ignores the compass and its guidance, thinking she should go a different way or stay in place when she should continue. Isn’t that just like us? There are forces and desires that draw us off course. We consider ourselves smart enough to recognize them, but if we haven’t checked our compass we may not know how far off course we are.

Let me leave you with these two familiar references.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.‬‬

James‬ ‭4‬:‭8a‬ ‭ESV

“Be still, and know that I am God!”‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10a‬ ‭NLT

Whatever I “pursue” in this next year, I pray above all else I will seek God with all my heart.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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