Part 1: A recollection
Every year on this blog, I recap with what God had done and where I expect to be heading. So, friend, here we are…concluding 2023 with anticipation for what lies ahead in 2024.
My word this year was “steadfast,” rooted in Psalm 108:4. (You can read more about that here.) I started the year by declaring, “I’m not only finding joy in being steadfast in my relationship with God. I’m also paying attention to and standing in awe of His faithfulness to me. I’m choosing to stand steadfast in faith – in prayer, in hope, in joy, in all the things – because of my love for God and His love for me.”
I went into 2023 with open hands and a surrendered heart, and as we close out this year, I’m singing praises and songs of gratitude to the Lord.
This year was the perfect year to focus on steadfastness, and not just because I wrote a Bible word study on it. God taught me, through so many experiences, how to be steadfast through any circumstance, such as:
- Grieving changes and adjusting to new routines
- Setting boundaries with difficult people
- Disappointments
- Good friends moving away
- Cultivating new friendships
- Writing a Bible study
- Leading a women’s group
- Writing several other devotionals and studies that are some of my best work
- Managing my small business, Pressed Not Crushed Co, with a local partnership
- Unpredictable situations at work
- Participating in a focus group for my favorite author’s new book
- Going on my first missions trip
- Attending a writing conference and getting feedback on my work
- Traveling the country on my own for a 1-day conference on biblical rest
- Working with my ideal editor for the book
- Revisiting old friendships (thank you, Jonas Brothers concerts…)
- Trusting again and having the courage to start new things
- Getting rejection letters…and a few exciting congratulatory ones!
None of this was my own doing. It was all God. I can only sit here humbly, in awe of how full and meaningful 2023 has been. For all the times I prayed and pleaded for God to do these big things over the past few years, it all came to pass this year. There were so many things I never thought I was capable of, yet God worked through me and fulfilled so many dreams I have held in my heart.
Part 2: An anticipation
In 2024, I’m not ready to move onto another word, but I know God is leading me to a different focus point. Steadfastness is not something I’m going to forget or give up, but God is calling me deeper. It’s not just about remaining steadfast in faith, but remaining in Him through all things.
This year, my God-given word is abide. The go-to Scripture with this word is a passage in John 15 (and I have other references that support my goal for 2024).
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
- John 15:4-11 (ESV), emphasis mine
To abide is to have union with Christ. It’s the “God in me” mentality, knowing that God isn’t a component of my life, but I am found in His greater story. As this passage says, abiding in Christ is an invitation for me to experience His perfect love. And when I love God, I desire to obey Him. And when I obey God, I have joy. I won’t find joy in my circumstances or doing, but simply by being with God and trusting Him.
In the New Testament Greek, Jesus uses the word menō. When referring to a place, it means to remain, abide, or stay. It implies that one does not depart from that location, and continues to be present. Over time, it’s someone who endures. In terms of a condition, it means “to remain as one” or “not to become another or different.” In other contexts, this word also means to wait for[1].
This past year was one of doing and being steadfast in faith with all that I encountered. So, friend, this is my year to focus on being.
Abiding in Christ means:
- Apart from Him, I can do nothing (John 15:5). I depend on God daily.
- I glorify God as I seek union with him because I bear fruit and prove to be a follower of Jesus (John 15:8). With God as my Source, as I abide in Him, I can and will glorify Him with what I do.
- His word doesn’t depart from me (Isaiah 55:11, John 15:7). I read and meditate on His word daily.
- Jesus alone is my living water and daily bread (John 7:38, John 6:35). He is all I need.
- I am safe (Psalm 91:1-2).
- I have all I need to remain steadfast in faith because the Lord goes with me and defends me (Deuteronomy 20:4).
- In Him, I find rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
I have some expectations for 2024 (and some exciting news to share soon). Abiding in Christ will keep me humble and dependent on Him alone. It will keep me from making idols out of blessings and will keep me from questioning the hard things. Abiding in Christ gives me the confidence, no matter what the circumstance, to trust that God’s ways truly are best for me. I don’t have to orchestrate things on my own or attempt to control anything. I can wait for God’s timing and rest in His plans for me.
Friend, when we abide in Christ, we will discover that relationship with God is truly the greatest gift.
2023, I’m so grateful for all that God has done this year.
2024, I’m joyfully expectant for what God has planned.
Part 3: A resource
Per my tradition, I’m including a free lock screen for your phone. Click and save the photo below to use it. Happy 2024!
References
Consider the Joy 
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