Watch
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonian 5:23-24
Insight
My word for last year was WATCH. At the end of 2022, my brain was full of plans, dreams, and many things I wanted. Some were self-focused, but most were well-intended ways that I felt would help my family or be helpful to others. I had done my research; I had a plan and was ready to go! For anyone who knows me, I loathe projects that take time. If I have an idea, I'm ready to go tomorrow. But as 2022 ended, I felt a pull to slow down my plans and wait to see what God was unfolding.
I'll be honest: I wasn't thrilled about this word because it felt a little passive. I'm a doer and a goer, and this word felt the opposite of all things that come naturally to me, but it also felt right.
In January of 2023, I wrote in my journal: I want to watch for what God can do more than execute my plan this year. It was honestly something I wanted to do, but maybe more; it was a statement to remind myself of how God was stirring in my heart.
Towards the end of 2 Thessalonians, as Paul encourages the church's believers, he says, "The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it."
This was the focus for my word. God is faithful, and if He has called me to something, then He will make it happen. I don't need to know all the answers or have assurance of the outcome, but I can WATCH how He directs things and confidently step where He leads.
My goal wasn't to check out or take a year off, but I needed something to change how I was going about what I felt called to do, and I'm so thankful for this perspective shift. I saw God do immeasurably more in lots of ways this year. Part of that was letting Him lead and taking the time to look for what He was doing.
I saw God redirect my steps with work projects. I saw him open doors in relationships that held tension. I saw Him reveal areas of needed growth in my personal life. And I saw God connect people and things I never imagined.
To my surprise, WATCH did help me slow down, but it also helped me more intentionally pay attention. I know that God is always working, and I fully trust that, but I often don't slow down enough to see what He is doing truly. Too often, I calculate the next step or plan how to make things happen.
Looking back over the last year and seeing what He has done in ways that I didn't expect has brought about an awareness of His faithfulness and a determination not just to settle for believing but to look for it happening. It's a subtle shift but one that is important. If we don't take time to see, we're less likely to remember His goodness in times of doubt or hardship. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but we have an active role in bringing that truth to bear in the world around us, and without eyes to see, the story of what He is doing in our life will not be told.
As I look forward, I want His story to be told. I want less of my works to be known and more of His working to be seen. I thought WATCH was passive, but it's far more active and intentional than I could have imagined, and seeing what He is doing is far more beautiful than what I could do on my own.
Reflection
What would it look like for you to slow down enough to see what He is doing?
In what ways could your plans hinder the ability to see His plan?
Prayer
God, thank you for always working. Thank you for being patient with me when I think I know best. Give me eyes to see your plan and help me slow down enough to allow You to lead. Thank you for caring about the details and displaying Your love in a million ways. Help me trust You more. Amen.
Katie Robinson, At Home Coordinator for Children’s Ministries, wrote today’s devotional.