Instead of new year’s resolutions, for the past several years the Lord has given me one word. One word to shape my daily thoughts, and choices, and actions, which in turn, shape my entire year.
2017 is my year of Goodness.
One of the scriptures I’m leaning into this year is Psalm 34:8 –
“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him.”
The Lord gave me this word while in Zambia this past December, the final month of my year of Hallelujah. There, He reminded me of a picture He shared to my spirit while in Thailand in October 2015 (which was my year of “Health”).
The picture was that of a young toddler in a high chair at mealtime. This strong-willed child sat with lips pursed and turned their face away as unfamiliar food inched towards their mouth in a spoon wielded by a parent. A very “real-life” picture.
Through this simple picture, the Lord spoke; sometimes, to taste His goodness, we have to open our mouths to the unfamiliar. Because sometimes, His goodness will be something we’ve never tasted before. And we just get to trust that His spoon doesn’t contain anything bad.
Because the Father always and only gives His children good things.
With goodness being the word of my 2017, I know that Jesus will invite me into good experiences that stretch my current understanding of “good.” That truth makes my heart beat faster.
But in a good way.
Good.
“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man (or the wary toddler who hasn’t yet acquired a taste for broccoli) who trusts in Him.”
