Walk In It: A Rhythm in 2021

Did you get a word for this year, or a phrase? I got mine and it was confirmed multiple times on the last day of 2020. Having a rhythm or a phrase for the coming years helps us to set our minds and focus. So I wanted to share mine in case it’s something that speaks to you. I pray it encourages you.

You’ve probably heard the following scripture,

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” It’s from Isaiah 30:21 NIV.

Now, ironically I googled to get the exact passage and I guess “walk in it” is a phrase used in the popular series, The Mandalorian. So that is not the pop culture reference I’m speaking to here. The beginning of this chapter is actually a rebuke to those in Judah who were looking to Egypt for deliverance instead of the Lord. A little bit before in verse 1 it says,

“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against my will, heaping up sin upon sin.”

Sounds a little bit like what’s going in our world today, right? Many people are carrying out their plans, forming alliances against the plans of God and sinning in the midst of it.

But what about those who choose to walk in God’s light? 1 John 1:7 NIV says, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

This verse is just about the opposite of Isaiah 30:1. If we are walking in His light, we have fellowship with each other and we are covered in the blood of Jesus. That’s powerful stuff in a world full of the opposite.

This is something we have to remember in the coming year. I believe that’s why this message of “walk in it,” was confirmed to me, because the Lord is asking us to actively and intentionally choose to walk in His ways.

We do this by loving God above all else, by doing what He has called us to do and seeking His face always. (Don’t look to the right or to the left, just straight ahead.)

Has the Lord given you a vision for this year? Has He given you the roadmap for a plan? I believe we are being called to step into it, and walk in it. Just keep walking in it.

Now, you and I both know what Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” We can plan all we want and be more excited than ever about that plan, but we have to remember we’re not the ones in charge of the outcome. We’ve got the best team member and guide anyone can have. But we’re not in charge. We’re given the power to do what He’s called us to do and He does what only He can do. Remember Ephesians 3:20, “Now it Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” But he’s the one who can do more in us than we could ever do without him.

Think about the times in your life when you were doing things out of self-will. You probably wondered at the time why it wasn’t working for you. Well first let me tell you that’s happened to me multiple times too so you aren’t alone. Looking back I can say without a doubt it was the Lord leading me to something greater.

When He’s leading us to something greater, we are given His favor. This isn’t something we gloat about. It’s something we recognize within us when we walk with Jesus. When we’re chasing after Jesus and walking in the light, we have to believe that we have God’s favor. I heard is said beautifully during the Passion Conference just this past New Years Eve by Shelly Giglio, “Your favor is upon us. We want to walk it out.”

And if you look at Psalm 90:17 it says what?

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.”

I don’t know if you’ve heard the song, “The Blessing,” by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes with Elevation Worship but it repeats, “May his favor be upon you, and a thousand generations, and their children and their children.” That repetition gets down deep in you and makes you realize it’s true! Thank God for worship music!

We have to be cognizant of the fact that God’s favor doesn’t mean everything will go perfectly well. God puts distractions in our life to help us notice that He’s got other plans that are still His, but not in our plan. He gives us weaknesses. He lets us fail. He lets us be human. How scary would it be if he didn’t?!

We also have to be aware that whatever God is calling us to do shouldn’t become an idol because He wants us to keep our eyes on him. He wants us to walk in HIS ways, not ours. It’s about what He is REVEALING to us.

So whatever God has gifted you to do, I pray you have the courage and humility to do it knowing He is with you at every step of the way. It doesn’t matter what someone else’s gifting looks like or how much you think your gifting isn’t good enough (yet.) God isn’t waiting for you to be perfect before you walk. He wants you to just walk. Just do. He’s going to use you more in your imperfections than you could ever do trying to fix them up yourself.

Remember Ephesians 2:10 ESV, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

You know when I was finishing up this blog I was reading Jesus Calling in my quiet time with the Lord and the first sentence of the January 4th devotion hit me. It said, “I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying, ‘I trust you, Jesus,’ in response to whatever happens to you.” This is so important to the concept of walking in it it, because we can so easily get caught up in our own reasoning when things don’t go our way. The concept of saying, “I trust you, Jesus” instead is counter to our humanness. But that’s why it’s so good. God challenges our natural human inclinations and the perspectives of the world with His great love. It reminds me of my life verse, that also folds in with this message, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

We can practice that submission by saying, “I trust you Jesus.” I trust you enough – to walk in your ways.

So, together – let’s walk in it.

Let me leave you with a prayer.

I pray in both my life and yours that we are able receive the favor of the Lord and choose to walk in His ways and have the courage to do what He’s called us to do this year. Let us not sit by and expect someone else to take care of what God has ordained for us to do. Let us not compare ourselves to someone else and minimize what He’s gifted us to do. Let us not get stuck in our heads worrying about whether others approve of what we’re doing and just seek the approval of the one who is guiding us to do it. And let us not give the enemy power in his favorite place of our minds to discourage us or keep us down. Let us be lifted high by the mighty name of Jesus and choose to walk in His ways, for His glory; not ours.

In Jesus name. Amen

Next week will likely be a video message and podcast. So check it out! Have a great week. – Meredith

(I’m adding that song I mentioned below in case you haven’t heard it…)