Seeds
We have the ability to speak life over our coming year... Just like a seed holds the DNA of a future flower, my words hold within them the blueprint for what I am becoming.
Happy 2024 friends! Phew… I can’t believe we’re here. There’s something so beautiful about the beginning of a new year. There’s an expectation, a catch in the breath, a glimmer of hope. It’s the anticipation of what is to come.
If you’re brave, there’s hope that what is out in front of you is brighter than what lays behind you.
In some ways, nothing has changed. Mondays are still Mondays. In this case, Tuesday is still Tuesday. Alarm clocks still go off just a bit too early. Meetings still “pop up”. Emails still keep finding me. Dishes still need to be done. Laundry still… well you know… (still rotates between the bed and the chair.)
And yet, even in the midst of the every day routine, hope whispers of newness. Despite what 2023 might have been, 2024 offers a new opportunity. The chance to start fresh. To be who you hoped you’d be in the past year. To do what you hoped you’d do in the past year.
New year. New me.
The phrase is said and posted more times in January than any other time, as people set resolutions. It is such a human experience to hope that things will get better. At the same time, statistics show that by mid-February 80% of said resolutions are gathering dust somewhere.
If I’m honest, I’ve always internally rolled my eyes when I heard that phrase. Doubt masquerading as reason and asking “Haven’t they learned from the past? Don’t they know it won’t work?”
Yet, this year, I’ve felt convicted by my cynical attitude.
True, a date is just a date. A monday is just a monday.
But, a decision IS a decision.
Steps, even baby steps, are still steps.
And the words you speak matter.
One of our amazing pastors at VOUS Church, Manouchka Charles, recently said this and it’s been ringing in my ears ever since.
“Your words are seeds”
Each word I speak holds the power to direct my future. Within them is the potential to plant a future of purpose or one of discontent.
The Bible puts it this way in Proverbs 18:21, “The power of life and death are in the tongue”.
We have the ability to speak life over our coming year or the ability to sow seeds of fear. Just like a seed holds the DNA of a future flower, my words hold within them the blueprint for what I am becoming.
Photo credit: lovenfreshflowers.com
If you’re brave, the beginning of the year is the perfect time to speak words of faith over your future. It’s the opportunity to plant seeds of vision and purpose. The perfect time to speak life over whatever situation you might be facing.
Feeling hopeless? Speak Psalm 42 to yourself “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Feeling old? Speak Psalm 103:5 “He renews [my] youth—[I am] always young in his presence”
Feeling discouraged? Speak Psalm 27 13-14 to yourself “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Feeling fearful? Speak Jeremiah 29:11 over your future “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
If you’re brave, you’ll make decisions and take action based on those statements of faith rather than allowing fear to paralyze you.
This is a new year. While you don’t need to be a new you, you can be a renewed you. Speak words of life and faith and watch how your world responds.
I’ve never been more convinced that good things are coming, friends.
I can’t wait to see how our gardens grow.
Let’s be brave.
Thanks babe! Amen!