Happy New Year! It's time to turn the page of the calendar and welcome the year before us.

As I think ahead, it also makes me look behind. Where has the time gone? What have I accomplished? Did I miss God in the midst of the craziness of 2020?

My word for 2020 was "strong". Wow...who would have known I needed that word when I chose it before the pandemic? God did and He has proven Himself to be strong!

I was reminded of His strength in Psalm 24:8:

"Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle." (NIV)

He enabled me to become stronger in character as I stepped into a new managerial role at work. I'm also stronger physically as I now walk almost 20 miles a week in my new role. My mind has become stronger as I work through difficult situations and my faith is stronger as I rely on Jesus more and more each and every day. 

I love the encouragement from Ephesians 6:10, after we've put on the full armor of God, Paul reminds us to...

"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." (NLT)

"Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of His explosive power flowing in and through you." (TPT)

As I've reflected on the year, 2020, I'm encouraged that I didn't miss God; it was just a very different year for us all. Now, as I look forward to all of the possibilities that lie before me in  2021, I'm "choosing" to be positive. I'm also thankful that the Lord "chose" me to be His child. 

Yes, my one word for 2021 is Choose/Chosen. I'm excited to see how the Lord will lead. For now, I have chosen a Scripture verse to focus on in January. 

"Within your heart you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there." Proverbs 16:9 (TPT)

Do you pick one word for the year? If so, I'd love to hear about it in the comments! 

Photo Credits: Fireworks Photo by Nagatoshi Shimamura on Unsplash 

                        Choose Your Words Photo by Brett Jordan oUnsplash