Word of The Year In A Pandemic
“That’s what you do for every person who comes into your life.” This matter-of-fact comment has been coming to mind so often in the past few days!
I’m one of those “word of the year” types. I spend a lot of time talking to God — and I’m getting better about listening, though that’s still an area for improvement. Every year before the current year is over I glean the word he intends to be my theme for the upcoming year.
My word for 2020 was “Flourish.” I know!! Crazy considering everything that’s happened over the past few months! But think back to December 2019/January 2020! I was just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak with my corporate career. Counting down the last couple of years until retirement, then going full time writing and mentoring other writers! I was so excited! I had all these plans! I made all these plans! Then . . . the whole world shut down.
I’m still not sure how I met my current coach (and friend) on line, but my “jump on every bandwagon” tendency stood me in good stead for 2020! Many of us who are speakers and teachers realized we were not going to be able to make a living doing either in person! Queen of the pivot, my coach started figuring it out — and introducing her followers and friends to a couple of other coaches who were figuring it out! We learned. We adapted. We flourished!
It’s been an absolute hell of a year! I’m sorry if that offends anyone but that’s the only word, in my expansive vocabulary that I can summon to describe it! But God is so, so good! Yes, I said that — in the midst of a pandemic! How many times have I ended a sentence with that phrase — in absolute astonishment!?
So back to “flourish.” I certainly have flourished! I have built a foundation for a thriving business! I have also done a lot of personal and professional development! I’ve grown so much, and learned so much, and God has been blessing my obedience, every time He bids me to “go deeper.”
Imagine my dismay when it became clear that my world for 2021 is “heal.” Heal! I shared this with 3 of my closest friends and each of them said they were not the least bit surprised because, “that’s what you do for every person who comes into your life.” What? It’s my hope and deepest desire, certainly! My mission is to “help you divinely design your words to heal the world.” But the mantle as healer is huge! I mean it’s a catchy tagline. But to make it my creed — my actual mission in life? That’s another thing altogether!
I’m so broken. There are so many places in me in desperate need of healing! I Have cried out to God so many times! And He has been faithful. This has been a year of long obedience. And He has been faithful through it! It’s a heavy burden to take on the role of healer, willingly, whole-heartedly, intentionally. When I question God, he reminds me of the healing that took place as I wrote my last book; the hope I found through traveling out of grief. And He holds up the mirror of truth, reminding me that my transparency and unique ability to meet others where they are and walk with them on their journey is going to be the order of the day in 2021.
My brokenness is exactly what the world needs right now — my thriving in and through and in spite of it, and because of it! If I can be used in such a significant way by a God who is the Master Way Maker, then everyone should be able to offer themselves as a living sacrifice [Romans 12:1]. It is in our frailty and imperfection that He does His best work. In that way, He receives the glory! It is in those places that we are most vulnerable. But we are not weak! We are more than conquerors [Romans 8:37].
I realized recently that these “words” God gives us, these themes for the year, are not for us! They are a commandment of what we are to pour out into the world. I don’t know what God has in mind next year, but based on a flourishing 2020 in the midst of a pandemic, I can’t wait to start living out 2021! Because the world — and I — are in desperate need of healing!
You can find me on line at linktr.ee/themarymoss
