Traditionally, I like to reflect on one word to describe the past year and one for the year ahead. In 2023, I chose "awe." But, in looking back as I wrote our Christmas letter, "sure" felt more fitting. The good news of salvation through Jesus remained a solid truth and a sure anchor in every high and low we experienced. While "sure" prevailed as my 2023 word, “awe” was certainly present in the wonderful, undeserved truth that the God of the universe is mindful of me—that He cares for me, is attentive to my needs, is not burdened by me, gave Himself up for me, and loves me despite my many faults and failings.
My desire to experience an ever-increasing connection with this incredible God is what inspired my word choice for 2024—"communion.” I decided to once again read through the Bible in a year using the Bible Recap Plan (If you want to join me, let me know!). My desire is that this Bible reading plan not become another checkbox on my to-do list but rather a daily, exhilarating journey to commune with God and draw closer to Him. John 17:3 reminds me that real, eternal life involves truly knowing God and Jesus on a deep level. So, I’m eager to experience the joy and life that will come from connecting with Him through His Word.
I pray that in doing so, the word of Christ will, as it says in Colossians 3:16, “dwell in me richly” –providing wisdom, helping me love those around me, and causing my heart to sing songs of praise and thankfulness continually. At the end of the year, I hope my time of communion with God over His word will have brought me closer to Him and will have helped me to “comprehend with all the saints what is the length, width, height, and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that I may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).
If you have time to leave a comment, I would love to hear what word would characterize your 2023 and why as well as what word you are hoping to characterize your 2024. It’s always a joy to hear from you!
By Katie Miller
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