Nothing.
November arrived, and I was confident it would come soon. I kept my ears peeled for anything inspiring that might sound like a theme.
Nothing.
December blew in with a chill and I started to wonder if I was going to just have to pull words out of the air for my beloved theme.
I thought I had my theme early in the year. I thought it would be one of victory. Of expectancy. I wanted a theme that would make my dreams come true. You see, every year the events of that year oddly enough correspond with the theme; further cementing the truth/idea/lesson that God spoke to my heart.
The Way Up is Down, was for 2016 - this was a tough year. Full of humility, laying down of desires, giving up of dreams, heartache, longing and learning to seek Jesus in the day-to-day.
I wanted something very different for 2017.
Nothing was coming. I wanted to have something for Jan. 1st. I already knew that this year wasn't going to be the kind of year that I was hoping for... My heart was leaning towards Deeper, Live in Love, something similar.
January 1st found me in the car singing along with Meredith Andrews' Deeper, thinking maybe that was it - then I was in church, praying that God would give me something, anything. The band began to lead us in Good, Good, Father.
As you call me deeper still
As you call me deeper still
As you call me deeper still
Into love, love, love
And there it was, my new theme for 2017;
Deeper Into Love
Pressing into humility, into the love of Jesus. Plunging headfirst into what it means to know God.
Soaking in His love, and then finding out what it means to love those in my life.
Not just the kind of love that's easy. But the Biblical, Jesus, gospel-changing kind of love.
What does that even look like?
I think it's more than just giving a hug, paying it forward in the drive-through line, and showing up for small group. I'm not sure I understand it completely, but I have the One who defines it, lives it and IS it directing my life.
So here's to a new year...
