Each year, I ask God to give me a focus word. About a month ago, I felt Him releasing a word to me. I initially pushed the word to the back of my mind. First, I didn’t relate to it and second, it seemed like a “dull” word to me. I was hoping for a powerful “action” word.
The word wouldn’t go away and I knew, i could accept it or reject it, but God wasn’t changing His mind. Take it or leave it, my 2022 word would be PATHS.
I chose to receive my word and graciously opened my spirit for understanding. During my first study session around the plural form of the word “path”, I was reminded of a personal prophetic word and verse I received in 2008:
“For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight!”
Matthew 3:3 HCSB
There it was! My word! I had never paid attention to that word (paths) being plural, though I had read that verse MANY times over the years. God’s faithful pursuit of my heart thrills me beyond my ability to express it! Isn’t it fascinating that the God of the Cosmos desires to be in conversation with us? I am overwhelmed with gratitude and determined to know Jesus more!
Here’s the HELPS word study greek meaning for Path(s):
5147 tríbos (from tribō, "to rub") – properly, a rut (path) formed by rubbing (constant use); (figuratively) the "route" established by the Lord, where people can best know Him. This is also a regular path that all saints must travel in their spiritual journey (romance) of knowing God. It is the "road of faith," which God equally extends to all people, so all can know Him for who He really is (personally grasping His attributes, cf. Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8).
As the Holy Spirit directed my study, I focused on each individual believer walking out their faith and knowing God intimately. As each of us make “straight” our personal path (chasing wholeheartedly after the way, the truth, and the life), would our paths converge in spirit filled unity?
Let’s take a look at a cross reference to Matthew 3:3 this week and focus on God’s purest desire for unity.
“A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:3-5 HCSB
Do you have a focus word for the New Year?