The last few years, the Lord grasped my attention to continuous themes. Instead of dismissing repeated words like “humility” or “testify” in scripture, conversations, or books I listened. Pressed in. Sensitive to the Holy Spirit. And I’m so thankful. What I know about the Word of God and the author of life is much deeper. I spend time in the scriptures asking the Holy Spirit to teach me because I want to learn for the sole purpose of loving God more.

I want others to know how inviting the full Word of God is for everyone. The Law of Moses is not meant to defeat you of standards your humanity cannot maintain. Passages of lament were not written to scare you away from following Jesus because every day is not gut wrenching. Jesus says in John 15:11, “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” 

That my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

John 15:11

The Psalms can be sung with so much deeper emotion when you spend time digging into what happened in David and the other psalmist’s lives to pen lyrics of sorrow and rejoicing. The Good News of Jesus, the Son of God, brought fulfillment for Old Testament prophesies and propels us forward as His Church while we expectantly wait for His return.

All of it, Genesis to Revelation, helps me learn more about the Holy One of Israel whom Isaiah 40 describes, “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.”

As each year changes on the calendar, I see my Savior clearer. And my heart grows weak and frustrated knowing I cannot love Him as much as He deserves. As much as He is worthy. On this side of heaven, I fall short, but that does not stop me from opening myself to Him. Give and receive. Listen for my Savior’s whisper. Stand firm on His character in rejoicing and weeping.

“Lord, make a way” was the repeated theme and prayer in my life for 2021. Little wordier than “humility” and “testify” from prior years, but every time I said the phrase, I believed in it more. So, I kept at it. All 365 days. As expected, when you take time to reflect there are surprises you did not see coming. Would this be the year I buy my first home? Will the Lord answer big prayers I have prayed for years in the rejoicing, tears-trickle-down-your-face kind of way? Yes, and more.

Two surprises in 2021 come to mind. The first took the breath out of me and dropped me to my knees. Bluebonnet season was bittersweet with the loss of a friend in a sudden car accident. How could mourning and tragedy fall on such a beautiful season? The Lord makes a way through sorrow. And then in May, I decided to go for something. For several months I kept thinking about how much I wanted to study in chronological order a chunk of scripture in the Old Testament: 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, and 1-2 Chronicles. With my Bible, a pen, paper, and the Holy Spirit we read slowly for 7 months. The Lord makes a way through our sinful hearts and limited humanity. The second surprise was what the Lord taught me in those books that also took the breath out of me and dropped me to my knees, but in a wonderful way.

So, I’d like to share some of what the Lord taught me from the lens of an ordinary woman who leans hard on the Holy Spirit to explain things I don’t understand and trusts that I won’t figure it all out on this side of heaven. My desire is for others to find the Word of God and author of life inviting to them too. For more lives to be in active relationship with our Savior because we look for His surprises and really pay attention when He speaks.