What an odd phrase for 2022. What does it mean?
In the past I've written about BEING all that God wants us to be instead of running around DOING things that God doesn't ask of us. I still believe that being all God wants us to be is of utmost importance because our lives can become too busy doing stuff and we forget to take time to just BE in His presence--and enjoy it!
But there's more to be-ing than just be-ing!
Personally, sometimes it would be nice if I could just "be" all day. And lately, I'd rather "be" than "do" by stepping up and persevering to help in a difficult situation.
Enter: God's gentle rebuke.
In the past 10 days, I've heard the Spirit speak in three ways about what it means to "be.":
1. Through God's Word. I've been reading through the book of Luke. I read Luke 6:24-36. In these verses, Jesus is saying: Be loving without expectation. Be giving without expectation. Be kind and merciful without expectation. Be lending without expectation. Basically, Jesus is asking us to be involved without expecting anything in return. Why? Because that's what God did and does for the world. Busted! I wasn't doing that. Well, maybe from afar, but not up close and personal. My first step was signing up to get more involved with FAMI Alberta (Families supporting Adults with Mental Illness). I've been on the sidelines for too long.
2. Through the words of others. In an attempt to get better at memorizing Scripture, I joined a Facebook memorization group. This week's verse is Eph. 4:32a: "Be kind and compassionate to one another..." More "be" verbs that call us all to action.
All week I've had this worship song in my head, calling me to action:
I also read a devotional by Henry Nouwen based on how God's actions are like the father's in the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. I highlighted Nouwen's words: "[God] leaves the house, ignoring his dignity by running toward them, pays no heed to apologies and promises of change, and brings them to the table richly prepared for them." Busted again. I'd been not wanting to visit our son with a mental illness in the hospital. I didn't want to do it. BUT GOD reminded me that He always chooses to act upon who He is. Who am I to do otherwise?
3. Through my linguistic awareness. Well, this stems back more to high school grammar than anything else because our teachers always referred to the stative "to be" verbs as "helping" verbs. What? Helping verbs? Yup! Even something as simple as that convicted me. I am called TO BE a helper to others.
And that's how I arrived at my phrase for the year. So I say,
"Here I am God with 2022 and all its unknowns ahead of me--ahead of us. I will write these words and pin them to the cork board beside my computer in the office.
I will 'Do the Be!' "