And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. ~Genesis 1:3-4
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but by it I see everything else. ~C. S. Lewis
Do you choose a word for the year, or does the word choose you? I'm an avid believer in the latter. My first whisper of inspiration comes from this exchange between long-time friend and fellow blogger, Jean Wise, and myself in the comment section of my post Shine the Light.
Jean: I have been pondering the light this Christmas season. Light/dark. God's light even in dark. Christ's light in our hearts. Lighting our way.
Me: That's such a beautiful gem to be focused on in this season of light, Jean. When I read your words here, I got the first inkling of God's nudge toward my word for 2026 - could it be "light"? Wow, my friend, I can't thank you enough! Earlier today when I was wondering how the Lord would let me know what He wants me to choose for my word, I felt a sudden overwhelm of peace as if He was whispering that all will be revealed soon. Wow, wow and wow! I could never imagine that the "light" would shine so soon.
Still, this one conversation isn't enough to convince me that "Light" is my word for 2026. I give it grace (last year's word) to dwell in my heart and mind as a potential candidate for such a prestigious role. I'm allowing time and space to either confirm this choice point me in another direction.
The start of the new year finds me reading the Bible from beginning to end once more, and embracing a new (to me) devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers. Obviously, the above scripture from Genesis leaps out at me as God both creates the light and declares it "good." Then, the January 3rd entry of Chambers' devotions contains this statement: The only possible way to have full understanding of the teachings of Jesus is through the light of the Spirit of God shining inside us. Further confirmation, to be sure.
But it is on the following Sunday that Pastor Jared's sermon seals the deal. To paraphrase, he is speaking about how Christ's light empowers us to change, making visible all those things we would rather not see about ourselves. Jared urges us to not be content to hide in the shadows. If we allow the light of Jesus to shine on us, in us and through us, He will renew us and inspire us as He pulls us out of the darkness into the dawn of a brand-new day.
I'm thrilled for this affirmation and actively anticipating the myriad was that "Light" will bless me in the coming year. And with God's help, I pray that I will bless others as we celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World, together.
Amen!
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Well, I am surely a devoted follower of the light! That's why my blog has it's name. The light is the Son.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Ginny! May we all follow the Light.
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I pray that the light of Christ will shine in and through you this year Martha. Your constant encouragement to me is a light I look forward to reading. This coming Sunday my "I AM" statement is "I AM the Light of the World. " How appropriate.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, Bill! Seems like you and I are on the same page when it comes to seeing the light of Christ in our lives. And thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement here. They are so very much appreciated. Know I get the same inspiration from your posts, too!
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Indeed, Jesus is the Light of the World.
ReplyDeleteThe Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5
God bless.
Amen, Victor! Nothing can overcome Jesus, the Light of the World.
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This is a wonderful choice for your word of the year!-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Christine. I thought so, too.
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I didn't choose a word of the year for 2025, and one chose me -- upheaval. This year, I think I'm choosing quiet.
ReplyDeleteQuiet is the perfect word for you, Glynn. We could all benefit from having more quiet moments in our lives.
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I’m so thankful the light of Jesus empowers us to change.
ReplyDeleteI am, too, Diana.
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"Let there be light!" Since retirement, I'm no longer privy to an everyday sunrise -- but it remains my favorite part of the day. I love that C.S. Lewis quote ... and, of course, your heart-felt words.
ReplyDeleteMornings are my favorite part of the day, too, Myra. I love getting up when it's still dark and watching the light slowly bring the world to life. The C. S. Lewis quote is a classic!
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My word is and always will be, in the name of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours, Martha. ❤
Amen to that, Debby!
DeleteBlessings right back at you, my friend!
We certainly all need the light of the Spirit, don't we, Martha? Often my prayer - "Send forth Your light and Your truth, O Lord, let them lead me!" Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great prayer to say at any moment of the day, Trudy. Yes, we all need the light of the Spirit.
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A very belated new year to you, dear one. How grateful I am that He is the light of the world, the light in our hearts, the light for our unknown paths. What a wonderful Savior.
ReplyDeleteYes, Linda, Jesus is the light for so many areas in our lives. Without Him, we would be lost in the darkness of this world. Happy New Year to you, too!
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"Light" will surely offer you many insights into who God is, how God works, and what that work accomplishes--all within the imagery of light! I look forward to reading about some of those insights in coming posts, Martha!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm looking forward to seeing how God uses that light to bring me into a closer relationship with Him, Nancy. You will be hearing about those as the year progresses.
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Jesus is the Light, and I think there were many messages to you that Light should be your word this year. He is my light for sure. A wonderful Savior. I love that quote by C.S. Lewis - I had it on the side of my blog for a long time. Sometimes you have to look for the Light - BUT it is there.
ReplyDeleteEven when I feel the world is dark around me, I know that the light of Jesus still shines whether I see it or not, Sandie. I'm so glad you liked the C. S. Lewis quote; it's one of my favorites!
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Yes! A perfect word to illuminate the new year for you and all those around you (including us!)!! Amen.
ReplyDeleteMay the light of Jesus shine on all of us this year, Terri! Thanks so much for your kind words here.
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The Lord is our light and our salvation -- the One who shows us the way and how to get there.
ReplyDeleteLove your photo. It has the "layers" of mountains that I so enjoyed during my years living in Colorado.
I love this photo, too, Barbara, as it was taken by Danny on one of our treasured mountain vacation stays at a cabin. We can't travel far from home any longer because of health issues, but oh, the light that was given to us on those journeys fills our memory banks to the fullest! May His light always find you.
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Dear Martha, I echo Terri and Barbara's comments.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments to echo, Linda. May the Light of the World be your guiding light, too.
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A great post letting the light of God into ones life feels so wonderful
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Jo-Anne! The light of Jesus compares to no other. It is wonderful beyond words.
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Love it!!! For years I had a word for the year, but somehow for 2026 I have not received anything (yet). Maybe we should all take 'Light' :)
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me, Marja! If God does give you a different word, please let us know.
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I love how God sends us affirmations! That’s one of the reasons it’s so good for us to have people that we can be held accountable to and to help bounce our ideas off of. Great word for 2026 Martha!
ReplyDeleteI love how God does that, too, Mike! Yes, we all need accountability partners in life to help keep us on the right track.
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My dear wife does this as well. I usually let the lord guide me. For me it seems the word is listen. At first glance that may seem dull. My favorite bible verse says otherwise. (1 Kings 19:11-13) It is the example of how we should come to hear what is often called the small voice of God. I have experienced his calling in many ways, some frightening, others calming and some even forceful. The one that has had the greatest impact was when being silent and just listening.
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Oh, I think the word "listen," is such a powerful and meaningful one, Jim! Too many of us don't take time to simply be quiet and still in order to hear God's whisper to us. I have literally heard His voice, too, and it can be all of those things you described here. What a mighty and awesome God we serve.
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"You are the light of the world," said Jesus. "A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do they light a lamp and hide it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." Keep letting your light shine bright, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteMy word for the year is "Come."
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.
And let he who heareth, let him say, Come
And let he who is athirst, come.
And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life
and drink freely." Revelation 22:17
What a powerful word for your year, Debra! Yes, come, Lord Jesus, and shine Your light anew in a world lost in darkness. Thanks so much for the Scripture included here.
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I am going to see what word might choose me!
ReplyDeleteIn my HMO, Carrie, that's the way it should happen. God will lead and we will follow.
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I agree Martha Jane - I will let you know the word He shows me.
DeleteA woman said in the movie that we ordinary people should try to put on a little light in the darkness.
ReplyDeleteI don't know the movie you're referring to, but thanks for stopping by.
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Martha...choosing Light as your word for the year is a powerful decision. I think the word Light invites us to live with open hands and a open heart by reflecting love in the words we speak. This one word is so BIG...choosing kindness, offering grace, letting hope speak louder than any fear we might have...these are all things that LIGHTS the life we live. So happy for you and excited to see how the word Light will shape your year in some beautiful and unexpected ways. Blessings to you dear friend..
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shug, for opening our eyes to the myriad ways Light can influence our lives and the lives of others. Yes, my prayer is that the Light of the World will illuminate my path as this new year unfolds.
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Love this so much, Martha. How wonderful that the word "light" chose you for 2026. I have that devotional book by Oswald Chambers and like to go through it again some years. God bless dear! You are the light of the world when Jesus shines through you and He does!
ReplyDeleteWe can all be lights in this darkened world when we allow Jesus to shine in and through us, Karen. I'm so glad my choice of the word "Light" resonated deeply with you. And I'm certainly enjoying Oswald Chambers' devotional. Simple yet profound at the same time.
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Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteQue palavra maravilhosa você escolheu. Jesus é a Luz do mundo, Ele guia os nossos passos. Na Escola Bíblica Dominical estamos estudando as cartas de João e a lição de domingo será: "Como brilha a verdadeira Luz." Tem uma frase na revista que gostei muito: "Se Deus é Luz e Luz representa a perfeição de Seu caráter, devemos refletir essa Luz no amor que devemos ter." Um forte abraço.
Thanks so much, Lucinalva, for sharing here that you are exploring that it means to be a light for Christ in this dark world. And I love the quote that you included in your comment, too. Isn't it the truth?
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You are a true gem. Thank you for your faithfulness to minister to a soft soul like mine.
ReplyDeletersrue.blogspot.com
And I'm thankful for your faithful friendship, dear one, and for your sweet comment here today.
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As the hectic urgencies keep getting in my way this year, I'm late to the party again, Martha--but though I may sometimes be late responding, I love reading your posts and will always get to them. When I read about your "word for the year" every January, I get a bit convicted about not going through that process. I have several friends who, like you, make it a priority and choose a word or theme for each year. I've tried it, and actually chosen a word or theme here and there, but somewhere along the way, I seem to always drift from it. I admire what you and others do iwith it, but I guess I'm just not disciplined enough to hang in there for the whole journey. I'm more prone to look back over the year and see what kinds of spiritual issues or themes have most powerfully affected my life. Hopefully, either way, He gets the gratitude and glory for whatever He has chosen, or will choose, to bring my way.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, thank you once again, dear Sister, for prodding me to look ahead and focus on Jesus, regardless of what whether a particular word, theme, or passage from the Word helps to keep my mind and heart on Him. Diane and I look forward to walking through this exciting new year with you.
No need to feel that you aren't a part of the journey, Ron, not by any means! It's an idea that someone proposed and I became disposed to go for it. I don't force it. I wait. I think that this might be the most valuable lesson I've learned in trusting and listening to God's prompts and nudges. He wants me to see through the lens of His light. I pray He helps me to do so that I might shine that light to everyone I encounter.
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Bless
So honored to be part of this journey with you and your word of the year. I am excited for you!!!
ReplyDeletesorry this came across an anonymous. For some reason google kicked me out and that is how it came up. Anyway I am excited for you!!
DeleteNo need for apologies for this, Jean. Goodness, sometimes the AI aspects of Google are just so frustrating! I was simply so convicted and comforted by your comment on my blog, I knew that the truth of my word was shining right there and then. I can't thank you enough!
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Be the light so the world can see, it's much too dark.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bill! We don't have to be famous or influential to make a difference in this world; we simply need to reflect the Light of Jesus.
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"Light" is a wonderful word. Yes, my friend, be the light in this dark world. smiles. Wishing you a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! By God's grace, I pray to shine His light everywhere I go.
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Oh Martha isn't it amazing how the Lord brought this word into your heart for the New Year, and how timely it is, since the darkness around us is so very profound and evil! Oh how we need His light in the darkness of this world! Thank you Martha for your light that shines into this world through the love of Jesus beaming through you. You are a blessing to our blogging community! May the Light of Jesus shine ever brighter through you! Love and appreciate you!
ReplyDeleteAnd I cannot begin to tell you, Marilyn, how much I love and appreciate you and am so grateful that God chose to have our paths in this life intersect in such a meaningful and unforgettable way! Yes, there is so much darkness in the world, but we know the One who shines eternal light and rids us of fear. We can face tomorrow knowing God is in all of it.
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So glad your word came to you as Light itself. Such a beautiful choice, something that everyone needs and receives free of charge. I'm grateful for it!
ReplyDeleteYes, Lisa, light is free of charge but the Light leads us onto the paths of righteousness that may come with a cost to our own self-righteousness. I do want to follow Jesus closer, knowing He is the only one who can illuminate my heart and soul in a world that seems to grow increasingly darker.
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A wonderful reminder, Martha. May Jesus light always shine through us.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Diana. Yes, let the light of Jesus shine in us!
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