Alright, so here we are. I’m doing it. Starting early. A whole month ahead of schedule, no less. You know that "One Word" challenge everyone does at the start of the year? Well, I didn’t join in. I scoffed at the idea, thinking, “I don’t need a word to define my year.” But now, as 2024 wraps up, I’ve realized – with a bit of surprise – that the word found me. And I can’t help but laugh. It’s a little embarrassing, honestly.
I didn’t pick it. It picked me.
That word? Abide.
Let’s be honest: Abide isn’t exactly the most glamorous or trendy word out there. It doesn’t have the sparkle of “shine” or the punch of “growth.” It’s just... stay. But somehow, in its simplicity, it’s exactly what I needed.
Resting Under God’s Wings
The word came to me when I least expected it, during a season of church wounds, navigating the painful aftermath of my hyper-Calvinistic upbringing. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this word, abide, was exactly what I needed. It gave me permission to take a step back, to rest under God’s wings, and to stop rushing. I didn’t have to fix everything right away. I didn’t have to know what was coming next. It was about staying in His presence, trusting that He had me, and that would be enough.
Funny enough, abide became my anchor, pulling me back whenever my mind started wandering into the dark corners of past hurts, intellectual doubts, or, let’s be real, a bit too much enthusiasm that would occasionally lead me to lose my way. Whenever I started veering off track, abide whispered, “No, stay. Rest. You don’t have to figure everything out right now.”
Taking Time with My Story
And then, the cherry on top: abide helped me finally start writing a memoir. I’ve been wanting to share my story for years – a story of growing up in a church where it wasn’t always safe to “just be”. But now, with abide, I can take my time. I don’t need to rush through the healing process or force the creative journey. I can stay in the process and trust that it’ll unfold at the right pace.
Link to Aritha's Dutch Writing Journey Blog
A Word That Moves Into 2025
So here I am, at the end of 2024, realizing that I didn’t join the “One Word” challenge, but I’ve already been living out my word in a way I didn’t expect. And that’s okay. In fact, it feels like the perfect timing. I’m starting early, yes, but it’s because God has already started this work in me. Abide is the word that has been with me all along, and now it gets to move into 2025.
While I’m embracing this word, I’m also fully aware that it’s His timing that truly matters. It’s about trusting that He will lead me where I need to go, in His time, not mine.
Linked to: Give Thanks to Your One Word of the Year
I like how your word found you! What a great start for 2025. This was a timely post for me as I'm facing some health issues. The Holy spirit spoke loudly to me with "I didn’t have to know what was coming next. It was about staying in His presence, trusting that He had me, and that would be enough." Thank you
ReplyDeleteFirst, I didn't know you had this other blog! Oh my goodness! You are such a prolific writer, and I love it! And ABIDE is such a comforting word. I love the feel of abiding in Christ...resting in His love and goodness and peace. Yes, this is a wonderful word. Thank you for sharing it with us. My word for 2024 was Strength. I've been learning a lot about GOD's strength this year, and allowing His strength to be made perfect in me. I haven't thought about my new word for 2025 yet. I usually don't think about it until after Christmas...the week leading up to New Year's. It seems as though God always finds a way to direct me to the word He wants me to focus on for the new year. So I will wait on Him to show me. Abide is a very good word. I like it. We'll see if God wants me to learn from that word as well, or if He has something else in mind for me. He knows what I need most, so we shall see. Thank you for this post. It got me to thinking ahead of time, which might be a good thing!
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