Snowbound in our hotel, we decide to take a drive in ritzy Highland Park, less in curiosity and more about food for our stomachs. With the sun peeking out, we venture forth, layered up like a pan of lasagna.
Snow-packed roads make the going slow, and we marvel at the number of people walking the neighborhood, braving the single-digit temperatures. Enjoying a day off school, kids turn out in droves despite the frigid air. As we approach a new block, we see two cars in the distance, slowly easing toward the stop sign.
Across the road stooped four middle school boys. It didn’t take a genius to figure out their plan. The first car, pelted with snowballs, keeps right on going as if flying snowballs in Texas were a common occurrence.
The second car, when hit, slams on his brakes in front of us—not smart—and leaves his car in the middle of the road—super not smart— jumps out and begins yelling at the kids as they scatter like birds before a cat.
As we ease around his parked car, the preacher gave the boys a thumbs up, and I may or may not have reached over and honked at the ridiculous man. Did he think he was impressive as he bowed up like a banty rooster, or did he even notice as the passerby’s laugh at him?
Oh, and by the way—I guess it’s not ok to throw a snowball at a passing car. But it is ok to abandon your car in the middle of the snow-packed and slick street for other cars to try to navigate around while you are flaunting your “authority” at a bunch of harmless kids.
So what does that have to do with my WOTY? My word is trust. Not trust in myself as the puffed-up brute did. He trusted that he knew what was best for the kids and everyone else, yet totally forgot that he was causing an ACTUAL danger by leaving his car parked in the middle of the slick street.
In my Psalms study for the last year, trust is embedded in my brain again and again.
Trust that God is who he says he is, Lord over all.
Trust that God knows best even when I’d rather take matters into my own hands like the car jerk.
Trust that he will take care of me.
Trust in the most awesome promise of his unfailing love for me.
2020 brought a blizzard of challenges like no other. It shaped us and changed us and asked us to dig deep into our snowbank of faith and trust in God.
But now, with somewhat of a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s time to think ahead—not just hunker down. It’s time to thrive, not just survive.
Have you thought about choosing a word of the year for 2021? (WOTY) If you have chosen one, please share it. If you haven’t, please think about the word that gives you hope, confidence, or challenges and inspires you. A word that feels God directed. One that you can read about and research, and daily embrace wholeheartedly.
Just consider—what if you chose to focus on one word instead of a passel of resolutions hastily written and forgotten just as quickly. Many resolutions are not sustainable.
But..
—If you are following one word to see where it leads you,
—If you are reminding yourself of it daily,
—If you are looking ahead and boldly flying your WOTY flag,
Then who knows what God will do with your dedication—but I guarantee He won’t ignore it.
So I choose TRUST as my WOTY, what do you choose?
Here’s a Psalm of trust about King Saul and Doeg the faithful:
You love to destroy others with your words, you liar!
But God will strike you down once and for all. He will pull you from your home
and uproot you from the land of the living.
The righteous will see it and be amazed. They will laugh and say,
“Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
Doeg the Edomite:
But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.
Psalm 52:4-9
Well yes stay positive and believe and god and Jesus.