To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
I have missed being here with you all, so I am very grateful whenever the Lord opens a time to be able to share! This past fall I spent an extended amount of time in one of the worst RA flares I’ve ever experienced. Walking became almost impossible and my hands grew more disabled. I questioned my continued ability to function this way, and even wondered how long before I might need assisted living.
In the midst of that flare, I found the mystery of God’s care in ways I had not known before. Only His sufficient grace carried me through. When we discovered that one of my medications had been compromised, and when we were able to get a new refill, I felt like I had been given a second chance at life! Pain relief flooded over me. What had once felt like impossible ways of living now seemed like a gift.
While I have some additional residual damage in my hands’ functions, I am so grateful for the beauty God brings to my days. I was gifted new stickers, new easy-use scissors, and found an unused journal with words already supplied on one side. It was another mystery that God had prepared for such a time as this. So on good days I take joy in placing pretty papers, cards, and stickers on these journal pages that surprise me with the way they meet my days:
As the word Mystery kept prodding my thoughts, (you can just see it there in the corner of my journal page,) I remembered a favorite hymn of mine, “God moves in a mysterious Way.” This version by Jeremy Riddle always touches something deep in my heart:
I did not realize, however, that the hymn/poem was written by John Cowper right before a major depressive episode flared up in him. Click here if you are interested in more background information on John Cowper and this wonderful poem of his.
God does see what lies ahead for us. He even prepares the way for us to find His presence in the valleys where He knows we cannot understand or see the full picture.
Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” John 13:7
I have been praying over my #oneword for this year, not even sure if it was the word I should be choosing. Ironic, since the word itself–Mystery–is a bit mysterious. 😉 As I prayed, when I felt I had nothing to offer, the Lord gave me the Scripture to go with the word, but nothing else. As so often happens, as I waited upon Him, the words of a poem suddenly flowed out.
I pray this short poem blesses you today, at the beginning of this New Year.
The Mystery of His Ways
His ways
Higher far above my sight
Higher still above my thoughts
His ways
I followed
His hand showing the way
His hand guiding each step
I followed
This way
Left me sitting in this dust
Left me questioning why
This way
And yet
I know His Word
I know each Word flawless so true
And yet
The mystery
How can I see
How can I possibly understand
The mystery
Jesus here in me
He is fulfilling
He is bringing God's will
Jesus here in me
The mystery breathing in me
Will meet every question
Will meet every promise of His Word
The mystery breathing in me
Jesus Christ, God's own mystery.
--bg
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
I would love to pray with you my friends at this beginning of 2025, a year filled with, no doubt, more mystery ahead:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for bringing us into Your heart thru the mystery of Your precious son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. We are in awe that You would pour over us such mercy and grace. So now, Lord, we come before You and ask for Your touch upon our hearts when the mysteries around us and in us become too great to bear. Whether we are facing a valley, a physical flare, a mental flare, or a wilderness ahead, may You hold us close as we tremble at Your ways. And will You show us the beauty of life, new life, granted by You? We worship You, our great and mighty Lord of all.
In the name of Your son, Jesus, we pray,
Amen.
Did you choose a #Oneword for this year? I would love to hear about it, or any of your past words in the comments below!
I am linking with:
BettieGsRAseasons 
I’m so sorry you experienced a bad flare-up. I’m praying each day is better. Thank you for your encouragement and inspiration. Have a blessed day! 🙂
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Dear Melissa, thank you so much for your prayers and support! I’m so grateful that we can encourage each other along the way. Blessings and love to you dear friend!
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It’s so good to read your words again and to know you are better. My word is Transformation, which means a renewal of the way I think, so I can be more effective in ministry. Now, I see the word everywhere, in books and bible studies, and it jumps out at me. So, I feel confirmed that the Lord gave me the word. Hope you continue to heal.
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Oh Regina, that is such a good word! Isn’t it interesting how He brings those words alive for us, confirming His choice for us? Thank you so much for your encouragement and caring. I pray that the Lord will bless your word this year with His abundant renewal in you!
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Thank you.
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good words. Great poem.
mystery is definitely what I have ahead of me.
Good have me the word fellowship. I am determined to get into fellowship with people more now that I am free to do so. I’ll need people around me.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ” (1 John 1:1-5, NIV)
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Dear Mandy, that is such a good word for this year. He truly is our fellowship, but what grace He gives to call us into that fellowship with each other too. I pray that His presence will strengthen you, and the love of those He sends to you in fellowship will bring such comfort to your heart. Hugs and prayers my dear friend
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Oh, dear Bettie, I remember when you were going through that flare. So very hard! I’m so thankful God brought you through and were able to find out about the messed up meds. You are such an inspiration to me and to many others. I thank God for bringing you through and giving you this word and scripture and poem. The poem is beautiful! I pray with you that He will show us the beauty of the new life He has given us. Through whatever He calls us, He will go with us and we can praise and be in awe of our great God. Such a great mystery – Christ in us – yet so wonderful!
Much love to you with many blessings dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
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Dear Gayl, thank you so much for all of your prayers and encouragement! I’m so glad that we can share His Word together. Truly He is our new life, in each season. I pray for His blessings of “peace” over you this year. (I remembered your word!) Hugs & love dear poet/sister/friend!
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I am so very sorry for the flare up – and for the emotional battle in that flare up. Praising God for His healing – and for your unquenching pursuit of Him in the quiet and the hard. I am so grateful for the mystery of Him and all that we do know of Him. I’m not sure of my word – it doesn’t come to me on a January-December schedule. I want it to be Laughter/Joy – I am such a literalist that laughter can be elusive. Praying for Grace & Joy in 2025 for you – and I pray that you sit in a place filled with laughter and joy!
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Dear Maryleigh, thank you for that prayer of joy blessing for us! Even tonight the Lord sent an answer through sweet letters from our Alaska Grand girls! Isn’t He so good to hear our every prayer? I’m so grateful for the mystery of Him and His revealing also. May He bring you His Word for you at just the right time. And may His joy/laughter follow you in the midst of your days! ❤️🥰
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Oh Bettie, I’m so grateful It was discovered the meds were compromised and you now have meds that relieve your pain. And I’m so grateful for you and your encouraging message here – all of it. 💕 I love the word God gave you and how He gave you a verse, a song, a poem, and a prayer! Love and blessings of God-strengthened and pain-free days!
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Dear Trudy, Until I read your words, I had not put them all together like that: A word, a song, a verse, and a poem! I’m a little foggy at this stage in my life! 😂 But thank you so much for helping me to see that! It’s so good when God lets us share with each other. It’s truly more of His mystery, Christ in us, working together for good. I pray He blesses you this New Year my dear sister and friend. ❤️
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Don’t feel bad, Bettie. My brain gets that way, too, sometimes. 💕
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❤️🥰❤️
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I’m so sorry to hear about your flare up. That sounds awful, but I’m glad they figured out what the problem was and you’re on the mend again.
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Thank you for your kind words! Yes God was so good to being the help that I truly needed. Blessings to you this New Year!
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Your journal pages are beautiful, Bettie. And I am glad that you were blessed with stickers that can express your thoughts and your love of God, too. I’ve been learning how Art Journaling is an expression of ourselves and even an act of worship. Isn’t it wonderful how the mystery of God leads us to do the physical activities such as writing a poem or creating a journal page that brings peace to our hearts, minds, souls, and even our physical bodies? May God’s light and peace keep shining upon you, my friend.
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Dear Lynn, thank you for your kind encouraging words here. I really love the thought you shared about the way that the mystery of God leads us to the physical activities such as writing a poem or making a journal page that brings us peace. He is so good to know just what we need, isn’t He? I’m so glad that you are working in your art journal too! I hope you share a page or two with us in one of your posts. Your photography is always such a blessing to me. May God bless you this New Year!
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I was saddened to read that you’ve had an extra challenging RA flare Bettie, that is difficult to go through. But I’m so glad you now have some relief.
I love your journal!
Mystery is a wonderful WOTY, it will be so interesting to see what mysteries God will reveal to you.
As you know my WOTY is Explore & I’m already enjoying the exploration that January is revealing with the Lord.
Blessings & prayers to you sweet friend, Jennifer
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Dear Jennifer, Oh God is so good to already bring you new thoughts of exploration with Him. He truly is so personal and merciful with each of us, isn’t He? Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts! Blessings to you dear friend! 💕💕
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PS. I loved your Poem too Bettie!
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Thank you sweet sister! 💕☕
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Dear Bettie, it’s never a mystery that your God-inspired thoughts so greatly stir my heart because it’s a regular occurrence. As I welcome them here, I am awed and amazed by the wonderful way God upholds and sustains and provides a measure of hope and relief for you again and again. It’s so good to see you back to writing and journaling too!
These words hit home to me: “God does see what lies ahead for us. He even prepares the way for us to find His presence in the valleys where He knows we cannot understand or see the full picture.” I love your poem too. My word for the year remained a mystery for many days but I’ve finally got one! And I’ve shared it on my Words of Joy blog today. Blessings, hugs, and love to you! x 💜
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Dear Joy, it’s such a wonder and mystery to me the ways that God connects our paths! I’m always so blessed by your words and artwork too! Do you know we’ve been sharing His gift of words for 9 years now? God has been so very good to gift me with your friendship and encouragement. I’m excited to go over to your site and read about your new word for this year! Blessings love, and hugs my dear sister across the pond! ❤️
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Gosh, is it really that long?! Though I’m some ways I feel as if I’ve known you all my life. Your friendship and encouragement are a great gift and blessing to me. I love how we can support and encourage one another creatively, on our chronic illness journey, and our walk of faith. Thank you for stopping by at my site to unravel the mystery of my chosen word this year! It’s always a joy to have your company and read your lovely comments there. Blessings, love and hugs to you, too, dear sister! 💜
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Yes, Mystery is a mysterious word. I love it, Bettie! Great choice. I’ll look forward to hearing how it works out in your life.
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Thank you Lisa! I find it so fascinating how the Lord brings such different words to each person. Truly He meets us right where we are. Blessings to you dear sister!
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