2015 found me in the Word learning, growing, shifting, and, more often than not, just being overwhelmed with God. Next week, I’m doing a series on the ways God moved this year, but until then, here are my favorite verses from 2015. Using the book I’m studying with, I was introduced to books/sections of Bible I had never spent much time in, and I learned so much from books I had otherwise ignored.
(This post is really picture-heavy, but my thought was maybe one or two of the verses would be an encouragement to you or strike a cord and you’d want to save it, screenshot it, or pin it. Use it however you want, make it your lock screen pic or just copy it onto a note card and set it on your desk [that’s how I first responded to these verses].)
You know what spending time in the Bible makes you want to do? Spend more time in the Bible. At times this year, I felt like I couldn’t get enough. I felt awake and aware for the first time ever, and I kept thinking, Why did I wait so long to do this?
I don’t struggle with fear very much, but every once in a while, if I’m spending way too much time in my head, I get lost in anxiety and worry. Since it helps absolutely nothing, I just have to keep reminding myself that I have been redeemed and nothing–truly nothing–can take that away.
This year has been a roller coaster of change and uncertainties, both big and small. Some have been exciting and welcome, while others have been scary, but I will always delight and rejoice in my God. No matter what.
I just didn’t realize how dead I was. Life changed this year and I have never felt more alive in my whole life. At 34, I’m finally breathing deeply.
These verses have moved me to action this year. They have also silenced me. I realize the influence I have been given with this space, and I take that responsibility very serious. I never want to write something that doesn’t match my real life and seeing my blog through the lens of Hosea 8:2-3 has helped keep me in check.
Psalm 121:1-2 encouraged me through a few half marathons this spring (literally written on my forearm for the races). My fitness journey has been a long process that I keep truckin’ along on and knowing that no matter how many miles I run or what I weigh, my value and strength comes from God alone is a comfort and a reassurance when things are not going as I’d like.
If you ask me why I follow Jesus, it’s this. I’m still learning the “unforced rhythms of grace” but I’m so much farther along than I used to be. Living “freely and lightly” is my ultimate goal.
Always seeking. Always.
Some of my answered prayers this year made me dance for joy. I’m not even kidding, there were times I would be dancing around my kitchen, hands raised, just praising my God who OVERWHELMS me with his goodness and favor. I deserve none of it, but he still loves me enough to give me good things. I’ve been doing a lot of “singing at the top of my lungs” this year.
It’s not freedom from pain and suffering, it’s not freedom from trouble and struggle, but it’s a freedom you experience in the midst of those things that I can’t fully explain. I know is that God is good, and I am free.
This one has been a recent addition to this year’s favorites. A long time ago I marked it in my Bible to pray over the girls and then forgot about it. Last week, it was part of my morning devotion, and I stopped right then and wrote it down on a note card. I put the note card on their dresser next to the oils they wear at night and ever since, I’ve prayed it over the girls as they go to bed each night. If Chris puts them to bed, I’ll sneak in after they’re asleep and do it while they slumber. It is my heart’s desire for my children.
I’m excited about where God’s truth will take me next year. What verse really resonated with you this year?
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