In flipping through one of my old Bibles the beginning of November, I read the quote, my handwriting on a piece of loose-leaf paper:
Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart. Audacious longing, burning songs, daring thoughts, an impulse overwhelming the heart, usurping the mind – these are all a drive towards serving Him who rings our hearts like a bell.” (Abraham Joshua Heschel)
The quote struck me deeply once again, almost the same way it had hit me ten years before during a Beth Moore Study.
About the time December rolled around, I began to reflect back over the year. I also began to look ahead to the new year and wondered what it would hold and unfold. It would soon be time to settle on one word for the new year, 2017. I began to realize the word – Audacious – was popping up repeatedly in different things I was reading.
It was then I remembered the book I had received as a gift but had not yet read, Audacious by Beth Moore. Curiosity began to get the better of me and so I read it. Every last word of it. By the time I closed the book, I knew I was looking at my One Word 365 ….
Audacious, as defined by dictionary.com is “extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave; fearless; extremely original; without restriction to prior ideas; lively.”
As the days passed and the word was continually before me, I began to realize that our lives, my life, is meant to be more, and do more than could be explained in the natural. But to do so would also take more than I have in me.
To live the coming year audaciously, or with audacity, was going to mean that I not see obstacles as meaning “impossible”. It would mean thinking bigger, being bolder, and always being up for the each opportunity.
To live audaciously means to live with adventure. Funny how they both start with the letter “A”. The new year will unfold new possibilities, “without restrictions to prior ideas”, my ideas. It will mean being infused with the very power and leading of God Himself, because there is no lack when we are in Him.
This one word- audacious – will lead me to love – even in hard situation; to be brave and push back fear; to follow Him no matter where He may lead me; to love Him more than anything I may need. It will require that letting Him do a deep work in me, building authenticity into every part of me, until He is the driving force of all I do, all I say, and all I think each day.
I don’t expect the word ‘audacious’ to be popping up all around me. But here is what I am hoping – I hope by the end of 2017 to have discovered what it is to live audaciously, to live fearlessly and full of life, through His life which lives in me.
“I ask Him to strengthen you by his Spirit – not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength – that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.” (Ephesians 3:16-17a, MSG)
Here’s to an Audacious 2017!
*The above beautiful graphic was designed by Traci Michelle .
Today I am joining … One Word 365 and Moments of Hope and Soul Survival .
Love your word – and your invitation for adventure. “…to be brave and push back fear; to follow Him no matter where He may lead me; to love Him more than anything I may need.” Reminds me of ABUNDANT – another “A” word. What a great message. Happy New Year, Joanne!
Karen, your comment brought such a smile. I am loving that my list of “A” words is growing. Blessings to you in 2017!
Great word! Praying this along with you. â¤
Much appreciate, Lori! Blessings to you and yours in 2017!
John 10:10 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. If this is true, then we should be very brave and bold indeed. The question is, what does He mean by abundance here? Minimally, I think it is spiritual abundance. So I think we can live an audacious life based on the spiritual abundance we’ve been given in Him. We should definitely be thinking outside the box here! I love your one word! Thinking about all of this today too…
Amy, thank you for expanding my thoughts on this word! I love that connected to the word ‘audacious’ is coming a string of A words – adventure, authenticity, and now you have added,abundance. Blessings to you for 2017!
Joanne,
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your word!! If only we all lived audaciously for God. Here’s to a bold and brave new year….cheering you on!!
Love and prayers for perseverance,
Bev xx
Thank you, Bev. I am looking expectantly to all God will teach me this year. Blessings to you for 2017!
What a brave choice, Joanne. I love Audacious! Yes, it should prove to be an interesting year as you and God walk this out. I’ll look forward to hearing about it!
Thank you, Lisa, as this word will surely put me out of my comfort zone. But then, somehow, I think every word does that to each of us. Happy New Year!
Good word, Joanne, and I love the passage from Ephesians.
Blessing for 2017!
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/01/your-dying-spouse-253-work-as.html
Thank you, Andrew. I loved that verse in the MSG. We are strengthened inwardly but that strength need not be brute strength. There is a gentle beauty in His strength. And you have that in you, Andrew. Praying for you this morning.
Love this inspiring post and your word: audacious!
Looking forward to reading about your discoveries in how to live audaciously this year.
Thank you for cheering me on, Mary. I am looking forward to seeing what God has for me as I dig into this word. To be honest, I am kind of tired of being a “chicken” 🙂 xo
Joanne, you are, indeed, one AUDACIOUS woman! I love that and am cheering you on to a wonderful 2017. I’m so encouraged to read how one of your focuses is being brave to love others. 🙂
Betsy, you are so encouraging! Trust me, I am not audacious … yet … but trusting Him to change that in me.