Hope Reflections and Review: My One Word 2022

HOPE REFLECTIONS

I’ve enjoyed focusing on hope this year for my #oneword2022. It reminded me that no matter how bad things seem, there is always hope. Focusing on hope has strengthened my faith in God and His word.

Back in January, I wrote Hope in God: The One Strong, Secure Soul Anchor. Besides sharing definitions, synonyms and antonyms, it describes how the hope we have in God is an anchor for our souls.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19a)

In the post I also used the following verses, because they reminded me how God has been my hope from birth and will continue, giving me strength to stand firm:

For you are my hope, Lord God, my confidence from my youth. I have leaned on you from birth;
you took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always about you. (Psalm 71:5-6)

Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6)

CREATIVELY EXPRESSING HOPE

In February and March I wrote a few posts using collage and poetry to explore hope, and how we can have hope even in the midst of suffering. April’s post shared how hope and love motivate enduring faith. May includes poetry and childlike wonder along with hope.

In June I answered some questions about why I chose my word. July brought two posts. One connects my word with freedom. The other tells us that no matter how dark the days, they will not defeat hope. August showed us how praising God can remind us of hope.

In September I didn’t write anything about my word, but in October I shared a poem about the inevitability of growing old. Yet, even while time keeps moving on, we can have hope. November brought no posts about my word, but December had two that at least mentioned it. One shares how the cloud of witnesses in heaven brings hope. The other talks about family time, includes a poem, and shares how the birth of Jesus gives the greatest hope of all.

A SURE HOPE

Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, our hope of eternal life is a sure hope, not wishful thinking. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ secured that hope.

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21a)

MY WORD FOR 2023

Focusing on hope this year has encouraged me to continue trusting in God and the truth of His word. In light of this, my word for 2023 is abide. In John 12:46, Jesus says:

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

Jesus, the Light of the world, is our Hope, and He instructs us to abide in Him.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

With the sure hope I have in Jesus, what better place can I be than to abide in Him? I’m looking forward to studying that reality in more detail throughout next year.

I’m linking up with: Lisa Burgess and the #oneword community linkup.

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