Over the last 6 months, I have heard the steady rhythm of a voice whispering over and over “I have big plans for you”. The words change ever so slightly, but they have stolen my heart with new possibilities. The message is clear and plays on repeat reminding me my life is not my own. My life has been ordained by God to be His and now is my time to shine.
[Tweet “I heard the steady rhythm of a voice whispering “I have big plans for you”. “]
The voice causes my heart to race, my palms to feel clammy and uncertainty to flare. At the same time, I feel excitement hovering on the fringes of my future and a sense of anticipation that I want to claim as my own. 2015 arrives and with it the word “SHINE” enters as my word to embrace for the year.
Oh the possibilities, the adventure, the chance to claim God’s plan and the blessing of being His child! All things can and will work for the good of others when we embrace God’s plan as our own.
I started hearing the word “SHINE” months ago but have let it simmer believing that it wasn’t meant for me. Well you know what happens when you let something simmer – it cooks, flavors blend and a delicious food emerges. Shine is that tasty food wrapped up in God’s plan and it’s ready to be served. The word would not leave and showed up in many places.
I heard the word “SHINE” in my devotional:
The word “SHINE” showed up in God’s word:
I found the word “SHINE” in quotes:
Do not shine so that others may see you. Shine so that through you others may see Him. C.S. Lewis
“There are two kinds of light—
the glow that illuminates,
and the glare that obscures.”
James Thurber
[Tweet “Do not shine so that others may see you. Shine so that through you others may see Him. C.S. Lewis”]
Finally, I was prompted to choose the word “SHINE” when I ordered my letterpress blocks from Dayspring. Coincidence? I don’t think so!
My challenge this year is to be the light- to shine for Jesus- to let His plan become mine! In the act of shining for God, I will strive to be a gift for others. Please pray with me that God’s light shines bright this year and when His plan is honored all will see the brightness of His love.
Do you have a word for the year? If so, will you share it in the comments? Perhaps God has been laying a verse or promise on your heart. I would love to hear from you so I can pray for you as we begin 2015.
Happy New Year to all! Thank you for joining me here and together we will shine in this new year.
Mary
I was blessed with the beautiful word button from Traci Michele. If you would like one, you can find her in the following places:
website: tracimichele.com
web design: tracimichele.com/web-design/
follow via facebook: click here
What a beautiful word for 2015! May not only your light shine for Jesus, but may God shine his blessings down on you in 2015!
Thank you April! I love how God shows you exactly what you need when you need it. We just need to have our eyes and hearts open to receive. Blessed you stopped by today.
Mary, I’m just finding your blog from the FMF snail mail list. I’m looking forward to seeing how you let your light shine for the Lord. 🙂
Thank you Lisa! I love finding new friends in this online community so welcome and I hope you come back. May we all shine for God in all we do this year! Blessings!
You shine, girlfriend! I see Jesus from you, even from afar. Even when things are not going the way you had hoped, you still shine His hope to all who are fortunate enough to know you.
I’m grateful your beam of light reaches to me.
No WORD this year on this end, but I will be talking a bit about my UNword in a few days.
;-}
I can’t wait to hear about your “unword”. I knew when God continued to prompt me and leave little messages about “shine” that I really couldn’t get away from honoring Him. I appreciate your kind words and I pray that we both continue to be a light for each other and for God. Hope your holidays were restful. Hugs friend!
Mary. What a perfect word. I can’t wait to see how He works all things out under the shadow of your shining personality
Thank you Chris! I am excited to see how 2015 unfolds and am looking forward to a great year with this wonderful writing community. Blessings!
I love everything about this post, especially the C.S. Lewis quote. It’s funny how when we listen to God, He delights in giving us confirmation over and over in so many beautiful ways, like love notes we discover in unexpected places. Your post itself was a confirmation to me about a new dance God has laid on my heart for the dance ministry my husband and I share. Thank you for being such a blessing!
Thank you Laurie! What a blessing that God spoke to you to affirm for you a piece of your own ministry. The CS Lewis quote is becoming a mantra or reminder for me of the need to shine so others may see God. I will pray for your dance ministry and hope you have a wonderful week.
My favorite “shine” verse is Isaiah 60:1 in the Amplified Bible, “Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!” Be radiant with the glory of the Lord, friend.
Beautiful verse! I will be collecting verses this year that God gives and that point toward “shining” for Him. Thank you for beginning a year of shining in God’s word. May you have a blessed weekend!
I think Shine is an awesome word! Love the CS Lewis quote, too. God’s blessings to you this year!
Happy New Year to you too!
Oh, friend, how you already SHINE for Him. I can’t wait to see what He does in and through you with a focus on that word. I am forever grateful that He connected us in this beautiful online world. Love you much. xoxo
These online connections are some of the best. I have been learning from you what it means to intentionally listen and follow God’s lead and I believe that is what “shining” for Him is all about. Thank you for your friendship! Hugs!
SHINE. Shine for Him. A phrase that my mom and I say almost daily to each other. A continual reminder that we are to do everything for the glory of the Lord!
God has challenged me to RUN this year. My key verse is Hebrews 12:1-2. I wrote about it here: http://www.mtgoddard.com/run
God bless and SHINE FOR HIM!
I love how you and your mom encourage each other to shine each day. What a blessing. Honoring God in all we do sets an example for those around us and gives them a chance to question what it is that you have that they don’t have. Blessings!
Shine sounds like a perfect word and the embodiment of how we should be! I love the CS Lewis quote. God’s blessings to you in this New Year!
Thank you! I am looking forward to all that God has in store for me! I also love the CS Lewis quote. So much truth in those words! New Year blessings!
Mary,,,,I love your word and this post and will be following your posts to see where God takes you to SHINE for Him.
He has been teaching me that our word is sometimes a work He wants to do in us….so May He SHINE on you this year, more than ever before.
My word is ” invest” and I know it’s not primarily about money but investing in things that will have value eternally. God has already spoken to me that He wants to invest in ME so of course I am eagerly waiting and watching to see what this will look like.
God Bless you !
Mary, New Zealand.
Your words have blessed me so much. I agree that God’s choice is not always logical in our own minds and He definitely wants to work in us as we grow closer to Him. I would love to hear more about your word “invest”. Do you have a blog or would you like to share via email how God teaches you this year with your one word? New Year blessings and thank you for joining in.
My dear friend, your smile, your beautiful spirit, and your faith shine with love and joy. We are blessed to be recipients of your shining light!
Can’t wait to see what God has in store for you in 2015.
Love,
Karen
Thank you for your sweet words, Karen! It is friendships like yours that allow me to shine brighter because you bring out the best in me. I look forward to all that God is going to do through all of us this year.
Shine is the perfect word for you. You shine with His love and kindness each and everytime I interact with you. Last year was the first year I joined in on choosing one word but I don’t have a word yet for 2015.
Thanks Amy! I pray that as the year unfolds, God will provide all I need to shine for Him. I will also pray that God leads you toward a focus for this year whether it is one word or not. Happy New Year, friend!
My word is JOY!!! (again)
Such a beautiful, all-encompassing word, Karen! I pray for a New Year of joy-filled moments, handpicked just for you and Jack by God. Happy New Year! Love you!
I love your word!! And how good of God to confirm it to you in so many ways. You shine brightly for Him every day and I know He is going to bless you immensely this year. Can’t wait to see all that He does in and through you. xoxo
Holly-Your encouragement and friendship are such gifts to me. I know that God places such beautiful people in my life like you to learn from and to grow from in all we do. Thank you for being one of those people for me. Happy New Year and love you girl!
Oh girl, how you shine forth Him! I have no doubt you will shine and do it well this year. I will be praying for this journey of yours in the coming year. You are a gift to me. Thank you for shining His love on me continuously. Happy New Year!
I cherish your prayers, Barbie! It takes a community of prayer warriors for all of us to stay the course and to shine brightly for God. I treasure your friendship and mentorship. Praying an abundance of blessings on all this new year! Love you!
Shine on, Mary! You already shine so brightly for Him in this world! He does have big plans for you!!❤️❤️
I don’t connect with the one word thingy… But God really lays so very many things on my heart and soul at any given moment that I’d not know what to do with just one. Ha haha! You probably gathered that about me though. 😉 My Fibro foggy brain won’t win out either!
I do however connect with what you said about God bringing things up continually until it sinks into us. All for His plan! That always excites me. I love to watch Him work.
I am thankful ~ ever so thankful ~ that we are connected. Soul deep and lovingly shining together. May you shine Him into places unexpected!!
Love you my dear, beautiful friend.
Beautiful words of encouragement from you, dear friend! I pray that I will embrace those God moments this year and use them to honor Him. There are going to be times that what I am asked will seem beyond my capabilities but with prayer and trust, God will see me through. Blessed to call you friend and thank you for believing in me!