THIS YEAR, CHOOSE LIFE

As always, I’m excited over the new year ahead. It holds the promise of wonderful things, like the luxury of walking, months after foot surgery. That doesn’t mean life won’t be hard, it means we know who is holding our hand, and he is good.

I am so grateful for all of you who listen to my heart, who respond and share your lives and hearts with me, and who are hungry for more of Jesus. You have no idea how much I pray for you, and just thinking about you can move me to tears. So many of you are hurting right now. I know Jesus loves you and I ask him to touch each one of you and show you his face.

Sitting here I am overwhelmed by Jesus, pouring out my heart.

Jesus, my Joy, my Beautiful One.

You are light and life in the midst of darkness.
You are victory in the midst of despair.
And you are hope in a world that can often feel hopeless.

Because of you we can walk strong into a new year. Because of you, our eyes are on the future, knowing that in your strength we can see the good, expect the miracles, and see your face wherever we go.

Only you have the words of life. Before us is life and death. “Choose life,” you say. That choice comes daily in a thousand ways. Give us the strength every moment to choose life.

And thank you.

You are our only healing.
You are our only help.
You are our only hope and a future.
How can we not run to you?

You’re the only love that won’t disappoint.
The only wealth we can keep forever.
It’s you who wipes our tears in the darkest night, who holds us when we’re broken, and who walks beside us with encouragement.

Where else would we find joy, peace, and strength to walk tall and confident?

You are our courage when we’re surrounded by fear, our peace as the known becomes non-existent, our stability in a life of change. You don’t promise an easy way, but you promise to walk by us with the strength and resources we need to make it.

When our way is dark, your path is light. When the way is long you carry us. We hear your whispers of love beside us.

Thank you.

This year we walk on a path of light, one that cuts through darkness like a laser. Only on that path with our eyes on Jesus can we make it. But with him it’s a joyful path. It’s a brave path. It has resources along the way to refresh us, keep us strong, and provide what we need when we need it.

We each have control over the year ahead of us. Let’s walk into it standing tall and strong, with our eyes on our Beloved, expecting to grow ever deeper in him. He won’t let us down.

This morning I heard from my friend Bre. She’s had her own share of struggles, yet when she wished me a happy new year she wrote—”We are just starting a year of hope.”

I love that. Simple, beautiful, and true.

This year may you walk in the light, with hope.