Scripture, Saints, & Words Of The Year – for many Christians, these are the words that are replacing the New Year’s resolutions that were once a buzz this time of year. Personally, I find them much more in line with a growth mindset as they become guides for the journey of faith. They allow for more freedom and curiosity to explore where God might be moving in your life. I’ve found them to be wonderful tools while coaching clients, helping them to move towards goals or solutions.
For those subscribed to my newsletter, I mentioned that romance was my word and the book of Hosea, the Scripture that will accompany me throughout 2024. But, today, I wanted to share the saint who will be my guide as I seek to understand this new way of looking at love and relationships.
Saint Mary Magdalene has popped back into my life this year. She is the saint that I dedicated my coaching business to and I find God telling me that there’s more I need to learn from her. The simple reason I chose her for my coaching business was the question Jesus asked her after his resurrection – “Whom do you seek?”. That’s the work I do as a coach – help people find who or what they’re seeking and then explore with them where God is speaking to them in their lives – finding their true identity as they hear Him call their name.
While journaling over the summer, it occurred to me that Mary Magdalene’s story could be my story, too! Mary was living in the world with her brokenness, getting on the best she knew how when Jesus sought her out and healed her. This inspires Mary to follow Jesus and she learns a new way to live and love. She’s challenged even as she’s learning but knows there’s no place else she’d rather be.
Then, her new life starts to shatter and she loses the physical presence of Jesus. While her companions remain fixated in fear, she goes back to where she saw him last – the garden. There, he appears to her and lets her know he still sees her, knows her, and loves her. Once again she has to learn a new way of encountering him – and she is faithful.
I believe this is a new season of spiritual growth for me as well, learning a new way of encountering him. He’s been showing me that it’s time to move out of the prayers and practices I’ve relied on for years and seek him in a new light. Trust him in new ways. Draw deeper into a relationship with the Beloved.
God loves us too much to keep us where we are.
Do you find that you are clinging to old ways of doing things for fear of change?
What or who are you seeking?
Where do find God challenging you to experience His Presence in new ways?
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