By Billie Reed

This year, my challenge is to seek God in the common place so He will never be common to me or just blend in like a painting you pass by year after year but hardly notice the details of it anymore. God is far more extraordinary; He is more personal and relational than I could have ever imagined, and His whispers to me over the past year have been undeniable. God is always talking to us, and often it feels like gentle whispers, a “still small voice,” the same message repeated, a nudge, a sacred echo or that “thing” that keeps coming up.

But is it possible that we live in a time and place that Gods word, His people, His presence, His creation are all around us and available to us, yet we can miss Him? Can we even go to church and not hear His whispers? Yes, I think so…we find ourselves surviving the hardships, checking out, distracted, and numbing the mundane parts of life. If we are not mindful, we can get lost in the to-do list, going through the motions without being awestruck, aware, and living on purpose, right?

The calendar turned for another new year to begin, and that excites me, but I am carrying the weight of last year’s unanswered prayers, lists undone, and goals that fizzled out the first day. There are some real and raw things that I’m still going through. Ugh!!! Yet I am believing God to intervene, waiting on him to do what only he can do. So, I decided to start the new year with fresh eyes on the Lord, even though many things are the same. I sensed a pull to purposefully set aside time to be with the Lord. That evening, I told my husband and children that I planned to watch the sunrise and spend time alone with God. The following morning, I hopped in my car and headed toward an empty road. I couldn’t wait to see all God’s glory displayed over the mountains. It was still dark when I arrived at a perfect spot. My hands were warmed by my hot cup of coffee, and my heart felt lighter as I prayed all my concerns away on the drive over. I felt a little giddy and childlike as I waited to see what God would paint in the sky. I knew God was about to speak to me and do something so breathtaking that I didn’t want to miss it!

Over the next few minutes, I started to notice a sliver of light; it was so faint that it made the mountain tops and sky appear to be one. I knew the day was beginning, but it was only slightly lighter outside than before. The world around me seemed foggy and gray from the thick overcast. Honestly, in my disappointment, I caught myself saying out loud, “The sun didn’t come up.” That sounds so silly because, of course, the sun came up. The sunrise still happened as it does every day, but I was looking for something else. I had a picture in my mind of how God would display his glory, but instead, the cloud cover remained heavy all day.

The longer I sat there, the more I could tell that the day would look dreary and I was bummed that I didn’t see a display of colors only God could muster up. I didn’t get to enjoy the sunrise I imagined, but instead, deep in the overcast, I did hear a whisper from God. He said, “see I’m here…I’m here in the dark when you are pleading for your children and see no change. I’m here when you desire different circumstances but it’s the same old thing. I’m still there when you can’t focus because the noise in your head and around you is trying to drown me out. I’m there at work when you don’t understand why that co-worker is mistreating you. That pile of laundry on your bed that you think will be the end of you, it won’t, and I am there too. The sun is up even when you can’t see it!”

Friends, if you are in a hard place I want you to know that we can trust God when there is only a sliver of light. The clouds don’t need to discourage you but rather be a reminder to settle in, remain steady and trusting because God is still there when the sun rises with glorious colors and shines bright or is muffled out by the overcast. We can live with joy because with God we are not moved by changing circumstances, unfulfilled goals, or unanswered prayers. God keeps meeting us where we are and whispering… “do you hear my voice? Listen for me, I am in the small everyday stuff just as much as the big, majestic moments. Keep believing and keep going. I am here with you through all the seasons, so don’t be afraid.”

Are we going to miss God if he shows up differently than we thought he would, or will we trust Him to be who he says he is? Let’s embrace this new year by reframing our thoughts, lives, and expectations with more of God’s grace. Let’s focus less on the agenda to-dos and more on aligning our lives with the whispers of God!

I will leave you with some reflection questions:

Where is your heart with God, your family/friends, and yourself?

How does God want to shape your heart, thoughts, actions, life patterns, and circumstances this new year?

What are your everyday habits? Instead of starting with a list of more to-dos this year…simplify life by starting with who you are and who you believe God is calling you to be. Create habits that support that goal or changes you need to make.

Do you feel like you’re struggling to live the life God called you to, and this year you want to look back and know you have walked boldly and purposefully with the Lord? If so, what is one way you can seek Him in the common places of everyday life?

How can you develop a new vision, set clear goals, and routines that support your beliefs?

What’s shaping you? Start with reflection and prioritize habits that create heathy patterns?

Remember…

We are motivated, devoted, graceful, determined, rooted women of God…

The small things matter and add up to big things!

Practice grace because God is offering it to you!

Protect your Bible reading and prayer time!

You are God’s Vessel-Carrying God’s Word-Words are like seeds so Speak life to yourself and those around you!

Sabbath- Be intentional about having a rest day. Rest is from God!

As we approach the new year, let’s reflect on last year and evaluate where God is trying to get our attention. Before we create our list of New Year’s goals, let’s consider who God is calling us to be and create new rhythms in our hearts, minds, and souls that support our journey in Christ!

This year I pray we draw nearer to God and enjoy His presence!

Some more scriptures for the new year:

“Jesus answered, it is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me besides peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths bringing honor to his name. (Psalm 23:1-3).

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14 ESV).

“This is the message we have heard from him and announced to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1John 1:5).

Dear God, I pray that these words you gave me, and the experience with you, will magnify your goodness and presence in our lives. I pray you will show yourself faithful to your people today, in Jesus name I pray!

Amen!