Last week a couple things happened that made me do a double take. The first was on a day that it was bitter cold. It was so cold that the Sound had a layer of ice forming across it. It was beautiful. I was taking a walk at the beach, because regardless of the cold, the sunset was breathtaking. I met a woman on the beach who was glad that there was someone as insane as her to admire the beauty of the setting sun. We walked on the pier to see the formation of the frozen water, as we saw two birds flying by. We were amazed to notice that they were swans! We watched in awe because normally by nature swans head to warmer weather during the cold, but they gracefully flew by us settling in a patch of water that had not frozen.
Behold: To stand in awe. To look and be amazed. To fix your eyes upon in anticipation.
Then a few days later when we were relaxing at home we noticed something strange in our front yard. I saw it run and knew it wasn’t a cat, but didn’t know if it was a dog. It ended up being a fox. Now, I don’t live in a wooded area, it’s quite residential, so this fox should not have been there. Wow. It was beautiful, and I ran outside because I wanted to get a picture of it. I chased it through the neighborhood, but eventually got close enough to get a picture of it. It was beautiful.
Do any of you have words for the year? Last year was the first year I chose a word (highly expectant), and the word was like a theme for my life in 2017.
Behold. That is my word for 2018. I was confused by the word at first, because I felt like it was very similar to highly expectant. Yet, the word behold kept coming up.
Behold, it’s important to pay attention to what happens next. Observe with surprise.
Be amazed. It is amazing what happens when we pay attention, when we stand in expectancy and ask Him what He is doing. We will be left in surprise and wonder.
When we have the posture of beholding, we will stand speechless as we watch Him move and make all things new. It’s His promise.
This week animals showing up in unexpected places wasn’t the only thing that got my attention. One word in an email I received stopped me dead in my tracks. Literally I was in the middle of a store when I read it. I had to reread it to make sure I wasn’t making it up.
My face must have turned white as a ghost.
Too many emotions went through my heart. The word was intricately placed in the email just like it had been inticately woven in my life years ago. I was a littled freaked out because I didn’t want my emotions to “go there”, afraid, yet also felt loved and in awe of a good good Father. I wanted to cry, but I was too stunned to do anything. I couldn’t even email her back right away, because I couldn’t formulate words.
The person who sent me the email couldn’t have known the weight behind the word she said. She barely knows me. But it was only one word that let me know that He truly does care about the intricate details of our lives, and that He truly redeems it all. Everything.
Stand in awe. Yes, I was standing in awe to the point that I couldn’t even release the tears that were burning behind my eyes.
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.- John 1:29
Behold, the dwelling places of God is with man.- Revelation 21:3
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.- Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I make all things new.- Revelation 21:5
Do these truths bring you to a place of being in awe of who He is? Because these words and true, and what happens when we behold is that we see who God is, we see who Jesus is, we know He is God, and we know He is true.
Behold, be still, stand in awe, and know that He is God.
Behold is a great word filled with hope and expectation! My one word this year is Enough. Last year was Called.
Thanks Laura! Enough. Thats a good word too!
This is my third year doing the Word for the year. 2 years ago, it was Trust. Last year it was Hope. This year it is Delight. Each word has brought tremendous growth into my life. To be honest, I don’t always like it but I know that it is God alone who gives me these words.
So true. Delight is a good word. I’ve already been practically knocked off my feet my Beholding… and it’s not even the end of January yet! May your delight only grow in Him through the year!