Every year’s end, I ask the Lord to give me a word for the approaching new year…whatever He wants me to focus on in our relational journey ahead.
Not knowing what I was about to embark on (of course, we never do) these are the phrases I received:
1) Surrender.
2) Fix your gaze.
Okay. Wow. Those words certainly are fitting for the journey that has unfolded ever since.
I’ve pondered “surrender” – and asked – to what? Fate? A sickness? A doctor’s orders? Certainly that’s not what this all means…it’s to Whom.
I had a dream in early 2024. I was teaching in a room to a small crowd, and my main point was: “Surrender your pen to the author of your story – because it’s not you.” No one needed that message more than me.
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
– the author and finisher of our faith.
Lord,
Today, afresh, I surrender my pen to You,
Author and finisher of my life story,
Which is my personal faith journey
That I am walking out with you.
Thank you for the fresh opportunity
For major growth in my trust
At present.
I know I’m often weak in faith
But you said only a mustard seed of faith
Can move a mountain –
So I figure I have enough on my worst days…
For You to move.
Forgive me for too often looking at this storm that scares me,
Instead of keeping my eyes fixed on You
Who will never let me drown.
May it be true of me at my stories end
Like it was said of Moses in Hebrews 11:27:
“By faith… Moses persevered,
as one who sees him who is invisible.”
Love,
Janet
WRITE YOUR STORY
Song by Francesca Battistelli
They say
You’re the King of everything
The One who taught the wind to sing
The source of the rhythm my heart keeps beating
And they say
You can give the blind their sight
And You can bring the dead to life
You can be the hope my soul’s been seeking
I wanna tell you now that I believe it
I wanna tell you now that I believe it
I do, that You can make me new, oh
I’m an empty page, I’m an open book
Write Your story on my heart
Come on and make Your mark
Author of my hope, Maker of the stars
Let me be Your work of art
Won’t You write Your story on my heart
My life
I know it’s never really been mine
So do with it whatever You like
I don’t know what Your plan is
But I know it’s good, yeah
I wanna tell You now that I believe in
I wanna tell You now that I believe in
In You,
so do what You do, oh
I’m an empty page
I’m an open book
Write Your story on my heart
Come on and make Your mark
Author of my hope
Maker of the stars
Let me be Your work of art
Won’t You write your story on my heart
I want my history to be Your legacy
Go ahead and show this world
What You’ve done in me
And when the music fades
I want my life to say
I let You write Your story, write Your story
I’m an empty page
I’m an open book
Write Your story on my heart
Come on and make Your mark
Author of my hope
Maker of the stars
Let me be your work of art
Won’t You write Your story on my heart
Write Your story, write Your story (ooh)
Come on and write Your story, write Your story
Won’t You write Your story on my heart