“Forget the former things: do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing” Isaiah 43:18 & 19 

For me, the beginning of a new year always strikes a small fear and anxiety for what the year might bring. I think Christmas holidays and the ending of a year, with it’s good, bad, hard, and easy reminds me that I will have to endure all those things again this next year. Or maybe it’s because time seems to go faster and faster with each passing year. Whatever the reason might be, I seem to be melancholy with the start of a new year. 

As I read Isaiah chapter 43, I see God remind the Israelites that He alone brought them through the crossing of the Red Sea and through the wilderness. He affirms the Israelites that He will bring them through their journey in Babylon and out of the captivity. In this way, God affirms to us that He alone will walk the journey through 2022 with us. It seems God likes His people to depend on Him through each journey they take in life. God orchestrates happenings in our lives to grow us and bring us into a total relationship with Him.  God has given us wonderful promises that He is with us and He is for us.

God has affirmed to me that He wants me to trust Him and keep Him foremost in my life.  I believe if I trust Him and follow His lead day by day, He has wonderful things in store for 2022.  My job is to trust, spend time with Him, and follow His lead.  He has my back and will guide me each step along the way.  Yes, 2022 will have its ups and downs, but He never leaves me.  He is walking this wonderful journey of life with me. I recently read in a devotional that if I say the words, “I trust you Lord Jesus”, even if I don’t feel it, He will affirm that He is with me.  Over time, His affirmation and love will grow inside of me, and I will know it in my heart.   

My word for 2022 is “enlighten” because I want to be awed by things of God. I want to be more aware of where He is working, see Him in the small things, and see Him working on the journey with me. I believe the best thing I can do is say each and every day, “Lord, I trust you”, even if I don’t feel it at the moment. This will affirm His presence with me, and then I will be aware, awed, and enlightened by what He is doing in, around, and for me.