I’ve never had a word of the year so I thought I’d try one out. I couldn’t come up with any cool resolutions so I figured, why not a really good word?

To be clear, I wasn’t looking for a word. The word came to me and I’ve been thinking about it since I read it in the Bible on New Year’s Day.

The word is “turn.”

Over the past few weeks I’ve been reading through the book of Jeremiah. On January 1, I read Chapter 32 where Jeremiah is attempting to explain the current plight of God’s people. Ultimately, they’ve rejected God. They’ve forgotten his promises and ignored his desires. In most relationships, that’s a recipe for a quick break-up.

At one point (verse 33, to be exact) he says something very simple from the Lord and this is when I found my word — or when it came to me:“They have turned to me their back, and not their face.” — God

When I read those words my eyes got big, not only because it’s so simple, but it’s so appropriate. I’ve been thinking about how my relationship with God is so often characterized by the direction I’m turning. Far too often I’m turning my back to God when I should be turning my face toward Him.

My back speaks rejection whereas my face communicates reception.

It’s stubbornness versus submission.

It’s pride versus humility.

It’s being closed versus being open.

Call it regular repentance or habitual worship. Call it whatever you want, but in 2019 I’m just going to sum it up in one word. Practically speaking, I want to TURN well and often.

For this to happen I might need to turn AWAY from a desire or turn OFF a device or turn DOWN some noise.

Just as God’s people have forgotten his promises and ignored his desires in the book of Jeremiah, I have as well. They’ve turned their back on Him and at times I have, too. You’d think that’s a recipe for a break-up in any relationship. But here’s the good news: God is really bad at break-ups. One might say He gives way too many second chances. If you don’t believe this is true, take a moment to count and reflect on all the second chances He’s given to you. That’s right, WAY TOO MANY! So many that you’ve lost track!

Seriously, though, that is GREAT news! His heart is always turned toward us and no matter how many times you or I have turned our backs on God, He always receives us when we turn our face toward Him.

I hope 2019 is a year marked by many good turns.

Turn it up!