As I cleaned the bathrooms, my thoughts began to weave around conversations had with a friend. It began last Wednesday over dinner during which we were discussing our one word for the year. One of us jokingly commented, “Do you think it would be OK to pick a new word mid year?” The truth was neither of us was very much liking the words we had selected. The lessons connected to the words were hard ones. We were thinking we should have picked easier words – like laughter, or love, or chocolate. Our reasoning was if God was going to take our words as seriously as He seemed to be, we might as well work it in our favor. Or for our pleasure. Or at the very least, for our comfort.
We were joking of course.
She stopped in for some coffee and conversation and we continued ….
The conversation was fun. We were laughing as we chatted about weight loss, hairless legs, and chin hairs that seemed to grow overnight. What can I say? What else are women of our age to discuss over coffee?
And then she asked for my Bible as she wanted to read me something she had read that morning from Job. She read Job Chapter 23 aloud.
Job was a man who spoke freely with God. He tells God straight out, in the beginning of this chapter, that his complaint is a bitter one. He knows God will listen and be fair with Job. Job is also certain of this …
He knows where I am going. And when he test me, I will come out as pure as gold. (Job 23:10)
Did you catch it?
Job may not have understood all that had occurred in his life or the reasons but one thing he knew for certain was – -ĆĀ God knew where he was going.
In the dark times. In the midst of uncertainties. When we wish life was handing us a different scenario. God still knows where He is taking us. Nothing is uncertain or hidden from Him. And Job continues …
So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny. (Job 23:14)
Job rested in the confidence God had a plan. He also trusted in the One who controlled his destiny.
We continued talking, my friend and I. We talked unemployment, current family health concerns, financial worries, the job market, fatigue. We had no remedies to the situations before us. But this we concluded …
We want to be like Job. We want to rest in this truth –
God has a plan for each of our lives.
He has a plan for your life.
Trust the One who controls our destiny.
For He is trustworthy!
I am joining with … Soli Deo Gloria and Testimony Tues. and Playdates With God and Unite and Titus 2 Tuesday and Tell Me a Story and Teaching What Is Good and Titus 2sday .
Oh yes, chocolate would be a wonderful word for the year. Funny, I was just thinking about my one word this morning. I love my word but man has it been challenging and there has been some shaking of the head at God wondering why He gave me this word. But yes…God has a plan and my trust needs to remain in Him. I hope you had a beautiful Easter, Joanne. Much love to you.
My suggestions were made jokingly as I have come to realize, no matter what word any of us would choose, it would have been challenging to us. God is quite serious about our lives. Blogger Lori Harris said either in a post or on FB, she is picking the word “skinny” for 2015. I died laughing when I read that. We each feel the same way. Our words will surely be a challenge. May we each be faithful to grow in the midst of our challenges. That is my prayer.
With love to you!
Joanne
I never thought about chocolate as a one word! I might have to consider that for next year! The hard part of the one word is trusting that He is still working in it when He seems to be quiet. I’ve prayed for miracles, seen some miracles, and are still waiting to see more. Hanging onto the faithfulness that is so a part of His character that we know He will continue to bless us. Great post, Joanne!
Holly, no matter what word we picked, our God is going to stretch us. How else would we grow? Friend, hang on & hang on tight. He is able! Don’t miss the miracles.
Love & Blessings to you,
Joanne
I am glad to know that God has a plan for me. I love chocolate., I think maybe i should have chosen that word too. But I selected connections. I could blend chocolate connections? Thanks for sharing your inspiration.
I think chocolate would go with any word chosen. Perhaps that is the key š Glad you found some inspiration in the post. May we grow in Him through the challenges of our one word. Blessings!
God has us in his hands, and our trust is to understand He loves us and the end result will be worth it all. Thank you for sharing your wonderful post with us here at āTell Me a Story.āĀ
Amen, Hazel! The end result will be worth it all! Wise words, right there! Thank you!
Such a good message! Love your writing.
Thank you so much. I appreciate the visit!
I love it that we all swooped to chocolate as a possible new word of the year. that made me smile. I found myself pondering my word this week too wondering if I was getting anyway so your verse from Job was encouraging to me. Thank you for that affirmation. Now to find some chocolate….
Jean, it is amazing how we all related with the chocolate š That was meant to humor & I am so glad it did. The funny part is no matter what word we would have chosen, we would have been challenged by God. He is not about to waste our time nor His. Even when you do not see Him at work, rest assured, Jean, He is working & there is progress being made in your life. Thank you for being you & sharing with me. You always encourage!
My word for this year was “freedom.” I am still glad I picked it, but it would be nice if it had already been achieved. lol Thanks for your words. I needed them today!
If that is not the truth right there – we so want to already have achieved our word. May we realize & hold onto, that we are a work in progress. The good news is that He always finishes His projects:) So glad you shared, Elizabeth!
I love the thought of chocolate as the one word too! I haven’t felt like I’ve been living up to my word this year and I’m wondering what God is up to in the midst of it all. Very good thoughts here, my friend. I want to be like Job too.
I think so many of us may be in a one word slump š But I am realizing that our God is always at work, whether we see it or not. So grateful progress is being made in each of our lives, even when the progress is hidden from our natural eyes. Press on, Laura!
Love this…thanks for the reminder that God knows exactly where I’m going, even when I don’t (or when I think I do and I end up being totally wrong).
XO
Lori, so very true. For many have been the times I truly thought I knew where I was going. Grateful that He gets us back in line!
Still “Trust”-ing, Jo! – And eating lots of chocolate! (That’s how I’m incorporating it into my “word”.
š I think God would permit the chocolate as you are still trusting Him & there is no better place!