2022, where do I begin? When I try to describe 2022, what comes to mind is how much I stepped out of my comfort zone. I truly believe that if the Kiisi of December 2021 meets the Kiisi of December 2022, she would be in total shock.
In 2022, I did a lot of things with boldness, believing that it was God who was leading me. When I took one of my biggest steps in 2022, I wrote in my journal, “This is me leaving my comfort zone because if I could hide and just stay with Jesus in my room, I would. But the assignment God has given me (to preach the gospel) requires my obedience and boldness.”
At the beginning of each year, since 2020, God has given me a word or a Bible verse for the year. In 2022, He gave me both. One of the two Bible verses He laid on my heart was John 11:40.
“Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’”
In 2022, God taught me that the ways I saw His hand in my life in 2020 and 2021 were not just for me to marvel at His intentionality and faithfulness, and tell others about it, it was also His way of teaching me to trust Him - to trust His voice and leading, and to trust that I am in good hands. Because to step into the ‘more’ that lies ahead in 2023, I must trust Him completely.
God has shown me how both fear and anxiety can be a distraction and a hindrance, and how I must not shrink back in fear. One, because there is work to be done. Two, because He does not delight in fear (Hebrews 10:38). Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, we see Him commend people for their faith, never for their fear. There is a verse I came across about three years ago, and it has stuck with me ever since. It is Luke 18:8, the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus asks a very important question:
“When the Son of Man comes will He really find faith on the earth?”
I want my life to reflect a deep and persistent trust in God - in His love, power, and faithfulness. In His entire character.
In 2022, God confirmed to me through dreams, visions, and words of prophecy that He has indeed called me to do certain things. He also reminded me of the dreams I had years ago and things He told me as far back as 2019 to confirm that He has called me for things much greater than myself. In the beginning of 2022, I wrote about the approach God wants us to have towards 2022 (the first ever blog post I published here). He called it the lordship approach; understanding that He is our Lord and thus, submitting to His lordship. I submitted to His lordship in 2022, and He has given me instructions for this new year.
2022 was a much-needed preparation for 2023; God’s way of showing me the things He can do with my “yes.” The things that are possible when I am not crippled by fear, but instead take action in boldness. If you’re like me and God is also preparing you for the things He wants to accomplish through you in 2023, this is His word to you - “just believe the things that are possible by My Spirit.” It is really that simple - believe in Him.
2023 is for those who dare to be bold. It’s for those who are ready to say, “Lord, before You ask anything of me, my answer is yes.” 2023 is the year those who are supernaturally led and backed by God will not just sit down and watch the world do as it pleases. The year we stop being quiet members of our societies and start turning our societies right-side up with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2023 will be a special year for the body of Christ, and as long as we are willing and ready, the zeal of the Lord will perform all that He plans to do through us.
To wrap this up, I’ll leave you with some verses of encouragement for 2023. Meditate on them, save them, and most importantly, believe them because they are true:
1. “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” - Acts 4:31
2. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” - Isaiah 30:21
3. “For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.’” - Romans 10:11
4. “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told to her from the Lord.” - Luke 1:46
5. “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” - Joshua 21:45
The wisest decision you can make in 2023 is to follow the Lord diligently and do all that He asks you to do. And for His glory, I pray that you are strengthened to make this decision daily. I am rooting for you, and happy new year!
Make this song your declaration in 2023.
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