Join us as we end our week by talking about taking time to pause and light the candle.

The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. – Romans 10:17 MSG

A new calendar year presents a blank slate of the next 12 months and an opportunity to create goals. Such is the case each year when Deborah, Julie and I each select a word of the year.

Last year my word was “prayer” as I wanted to be more intentional about my daily prayer schedule. Establishing set times during the day to stop and pray was something that, surprisingly, quickly became a beneficial habit.

While praying more often and offering thanks for my many blessings was needed, it became evident there was a problem: I was doing all the talking. What I need to do more of is “listen,” which is my word for 2024.

God speaks to us through His holy word in the Bible. Also, our prayers are conversations with God. If we are quiet and listen, God will give us the true direction we desperately need in this world filled with road blocks and dead ends.

Have you chosen a word for 2024? Do you have a mantra or quote that you want to shape your days? It’s not too late. We would love to hear from you about what God has laid on your heart.

A prayer for today: Loving Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings You provide. Please forgive us of our sins and help us be reflections of Your love. Please help us hear Your voice, and obey. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Isaiah 26:12 NIV — Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

Sometimes a forced pause is just what we need. A couple days after Christmas my family all became sick with the flu. For the first couple days I stood strong, running around from person to person to be sure they were cared for properly. Then, out of the blue, the flu hit me too. For the next three days I rarely left my bed. The first day, when my fever was the highest, I mostly slept off and on. The following two days I spent time watching lots of TV, napping, and sipping hot tea. While being sick was not what I wished for, I have to admit being forced to pause proved to have its rewards. I was able to relax without feeling guilty.

Being sick also gave me plenty of time to pray and ask God for discernment about His plans for 2024. God reminded me how important it is to take time to pause so that I am able to give my best to my family and my work. Planned pauses are always easier than forced pauses, but may each of us also appreciate the value of those moments when we are forced to slow down and pause.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for showing me the value of forced pauses. Show me pockets of time each day to take time and pause with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

Psalms 61:1-3 NIV — Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

Yesterday I shared with you the acronym P.R.A.Y. = pause, reflect, ask, yield. Today I share a poem that encourages us to “practice the pause.”

When in doubt, pause.

When angry, pause.

When tired, pause.

When stressed, pause.

And when you pause, pray.

As I have written before, I like to light a candle when I have my devotion time in the morning. As suggested by Julie, my mantra for 2024 will be “light the candle.” Instead of only lighting a candle in the mornings during devotion time, I will also light candles in the afternoons and evenings when home. I even took the time to change all the batteries in my remote controlled candles. Over the last week I have enjoyed pausing and lighting our house with the soft glow of candlelight. I encourage you to take the time to pause and light the candle. Practice the pause in life and refer to the above poem when life is overwhelming. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for gentle reminders to pause. Speak to me in the moments of pause and help me to light the candle. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV — Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Life is so busy. We, as a society, stay in constant motion. Last year God gave me the word “relish” as my word of the year. Last year my son graduated from high school, my first grandchild was born, and my daughter began driving herself to school. I relished the moment as my son took his last swing at home plate and my daughter served the final serve for her 2023 volleyball season. The year brought many ups and downs and God gave me strength and courage each step of the way.

As I prayed for insight from God about my word for 2024 He told me to pause. While I have learned to relish moments, I need to jump off the merry-go-round pace of life more often and sit quietly at the feet of Jesus. When studying, I ran across the acronym P.R.A.Y. = pause, reflect, ask, yield. Let’s all use this acronym as a catalyst for spiritual growth during times God leads us to pause.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for leading me to pause. Help me to remember to P.R.A.Y. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Isaiah 40:31 MSG — But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

The word God gave me for 2024 is pause. Merriam-Webster defines pause as a temporary stop. In writing a comma is used to separate a list of words and sometimes to help connect words. For my purposes I also think my pauses will be a cause of separation but will result in connections with God’s message and my everyday life.

If you have been a Waterwalkers follower for a while you may already know that I consider Isaiah 40:31 to be my life verse. While praying and studying about my word for 2024 God led me to the Message version of Isaiah 40:31. Most other versions say waiting on God will “renew their strength.” For this year, as I pause, I will focus on “fresh strength” from God.

We would love to hear from you about your word/mantra for 2024. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for fresh strength. As I pause and spend time with You help me to make connections in my everyday life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Romans 12:2 NIV — Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Today begins the first full week of the new year. Last week Julie shared that her word for 2024 is “seek” and her mantra is “Be a kingdom seeker.” This week I will share with you my word and mantra for 2024.

Did God give you a word/mantra to focus on in 2024? I encourage you to spend some time in prayer seeking and searching for any words God may lay on your heart to focus on. It’s not too late to seek, pause, and listen. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, I humbly come before You with an open heart and mind. May my ears also be open to hear Your words for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.