Yesterday I shared a few of the lessons my One Word 2023, Guide, brought over the course of the past year.
December did not quite turn out the way we had expected, nor desired. It was the longest month of the year and not because it has thirty one days.
It was the season of Advent, which found me praying the words both day and night – “Come, Lord Jesus, Come.”
And the thing is – He came. He came with His grace, His mercy, His love, His peace, and in His faithfulness.
Somewhere during those days of December, the word began to come to the forefront of my thoughts. It did not come with any flash nor loudness. The word kept coming softly, gently, repeating the one verse constantly. The meaning of the verse took on new meaning as it came in the midst of Advent:
“I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.” (John 10:10, CEB)
I had to search for the translation as I don’t even think I have ever read The Common English Bible. Yet those were the words which kept coming and yes, in that translation. The one more familiar to me reads:
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (NASB)
Fully. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “fully” … in a full manner or degree; completely. Some synonyms provided are altogether, entirely, heartily, through and through, perfectly, soundly, totally, wholly,
“Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly].” (Philippians 3:8, AMPC)
“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19, NLT)
But here is the thing I have come to realize –
to live life fully, and to the fullest, I must know Him fully.
My life will be full and abundant to the degree that He alone fills it.
Mary Geisen’s post, “The Light Never Fails to Shine Through the Darkness” spoke deeply to my one word, Fully. Be blessed as you read her encouraging words: “The Light never fails to shine through the darkness– Light that darkness could not overcome!“
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by Bruno Henrique from Pixabay
It will be exciting to see what God has for you Joanne with your WOTY 😊
May it be a very blessed 2024 for you & your family.
Blessings, Jennifer
Thank you for always being encouraging!
I especially like how “fully” is used in the Philippians 3:8 passage you quoted. Knowing and understanding Him more fully is the key to a full/abundant life. It will be interesting to see how God uses this in your life this year.
It is always interesting to me how each person’s word takes them on such a personal journey. Each one unique and yet we all learn from one another.
Sweet reminder that God did and does nothing by half when it comes to our redemption!
Looking forward to seeing how God uses your word in 2024!
Truly He is a God committed fully to our growth in Him.
What a rich, deep Word you’ve chosen, Joanne. And it sounds like this mindset impacted you before ’24 even made her debut.
And yes, only Jesus satisfies fully, deeply, completely. I’m forever grateful.
I am not sure I chose the word. It felt like the word chose me by repeatedly showing up 🙂
Powerful journey in December as Christ brought you where He wanted you to be to see this word. How He shows you to live it out and walk in it will be an adventure for you and a joy for those of us who follow you.💕
Each word is always an adventure, and my life seems richer for the adventure 🙂
He has you fully in His grip. Happy New Year, Joanna! May you know the fullness of God as each day progresses in 2024 and beyond.
Thank you, Lynn!
There is something so sweet and fitting to be reminded by Jesus to live life to the fullest. I know God will use you and this word through you this year.
Thank you for sharing my writing here today.
I’m grateful for your writing, Mary. May God continue to bless you and use you!
No one and nothing else fully satisfies us like Jesus. Wonderful to think about the fullness He gives us.
❤️
Joanne, this is beautiful. I love your word, “fully.” And I like how you were praying for Jesus to come then came to this conclusion, “He came with His grace, His mercy, His love, His peace, and in His faithfulness.” So good and such powerful encouragement.
Karen, sometimes the way He comes is not the way we were expecting, but it is always exactly what we needed.
Fully brings such an expectancy for a deep and meaningful 2024, Joanne. I’m looking forward to hearing about your One Word journey.
What a wonderful word and how He revealed it to you. I can’t wait to see where He leads you this year.
Thanks so much for hosting us each week.
Joanne, I’m a little late commenting. It’s been that kind of a week. 🙂 But I love your word for 2024. How good to know that we can trust our Lord fully and depend on Him for the fullness of life that only He can give. May He richly bless you, your family, and your ministry in this new year!