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My Word for the Year: Seek

  • Published Jan 27, 2017
My Word for the Year: Seek

It’s a new year. Full of promise. Full of hope.

Last year was hard, probably the hardest year of my entire life. I am more than ready to turn the page and receive a fresh start.

In the last weeks, I’ve been contemplating my focus for the new year, and I finally stumbled upon one word that captures my attention: seek.

As I staggered through last year, I never could get my footing. Every time I began to gain momentum, to get traction, life would happen and throw me off yet again. Whether it was death or surgery or life-changing illness for my child, 2016 was a cruel roller coaster, hurling me from crisis to crisis at whim.

So this year? I want to be steadfast in my resolve. I want to have a single-minded focus. I want to pour all of my energy into seeking my one true love, my Father.

But what exactly will I seek? Am I seeking His blessings? Am I seeking His miracles? Am I seeking what He can do for me?

I am seeking His presence. Honestly, I don’t want anything from God. I simply want more of Him, and I want Him to have all of me. I want to dwell in His presence, soak in His love. I want to find joy in simply spending time with Him. I want to experience His sweet whispers of love.

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalms 16:11

I am seeking His perspective. This life is hard. My precious little family suffered deep wounds in 2016, tossed about by the circumstances life threw at us. As we struggle to get our feet back on solid ground, I am choosing to seek His perspective. I want His guidance, His direction as we travel this unwanted and life-altering journey. I want to see it all through His eyes.

Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalms 119:18

I am seeking His purpose. I want nothing from this life except to live according to His ways, to fulfill the purpose for which He has created me. He has placed a dream, a passion on my heart, and I want this year to be one of seeking His plans for my life.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

I am seeking His provision. I need my Jehovah Jireh, my provider. I need Him to provide everything to fulfill His God-given dreams through me. I need Him to provide strength to keep going on this journey, to help my children through their grief. I simply need Him, more and more each day.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. Luke 12:31

I am seeking His power. I am weak. I long to be transformed into His image, but I am unable to do it on my own. I long to experience healing, but I cannot do it on my own. I long to walk His way, to reflect His glory, but I cannot do it without His supernatural anointing. I need His power in this life.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I have come to realize I am desperate for my Savior, desperate for His goodness and His grace. And I am determined 2017 will be a year of seeking Him whole-heartedly. And as I begin to seek my Savior, I am focused on seeking Him in three ways.

I am seeking Him through my priorities. Each morning, I will start my day by focusing on Him. I will surrender my day, surrender my heart. I will open His word and choose Him before the cares of the day.

I am seeking Him in prayer. I want to meet my Father in extended times of prayer, bowing before Him and reveling in His presence. I want to block out the noise of this world and enjoy the solitude of communing with Him.

I am seeking Him through praise. I want to turn my heart and my voice to God and worship, to join the angels in heaven in lifting my voice to Him. I want to train my mind to think and my mouth to speak words of praise to my Father.

This year belongs to my Father, and I am committed to making it all about Him. Will you join me?

Lord Jesus, it’s so easy to become distracted by the worries and cares of this life. As we turn the page to a new year, I ask that we as your people would focus our hearts and minds on you, that we would seek you as the treasure you are. I pray we would find the joy of simply soaking in your presence. I pray we would gain your eyes, hear your voice. I pray we would enjoy the unbridled excitement of walking each day with you. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

 

Dena Johnson is a busy single mom of three amazing kids. Her greatest desire is to use her darkest days—days marred by adultery and divorce—to encourage others to find the joy of a life restored by Jesus Christ.

Dena is the founder of Dena Johnson Ministries, a non-profit organization with a mission of bringing hope to lives broken by the pain of this world. Her first book, Picking Up the Pieces: Rebuilding Your Life After the Storms of Adultery and Divorce, will be released later this year.

In her spare time, Dena works as a Registered Nurse and is a regular contributor at Crosswalk.com. If you would like to contact Dena, please feel free to interact with her on her blog Dena Johnson Ministries or email her at Dena@denajohnson.com.

Publication date: January 27, 2017