Dear (in)courage Sisters,
Five years ago I stepped into the role of Community Manager here at (in)courage. It’s a role that’s allowed me to talk with you through books, Bible studies, and social media, to shepherd our contributors, and to help set vision and direction for new projects. But perhaps my favorite thing about working behind the scenes is praying for this community. I love praying for you through your brave comments. I love praying as a staff and writing team, seeking God’s direction, clinging to His unwavering grace and strength when everything else seems to be unraveling.
Personally, professionally, globally, it’s been five often-hard, always-stretching, ultimately-beautiful years.
As I pause to reflect on all of God’s faithful fingerprints, pause to pray and press my ear to His heart, listen for His voice and what He has to say about the next year (or five), I hear the ancient reverberation of Isaiah 43:19a:
“For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”
I love this coupling of what God has already begun and the new thing He’s about to do! This was certainly true for the Israelites — God’s chosen people, rescued from captivity in Egypt, guided and provided for in the wilderness, brought into the promised land, all in preparation to receive the promised Savior. And it is certainly true for each of us.
God is working in our lives every day. Isn’t that great news? Whether you’re in a season that feels oppressive or seems directionless, a season of questioning God or relishing in His miraculous provision, a season of floundering or flourishing, God is with you and He is working on your behalf.
The season you’re in today is the continuation of God’s long story of redeeming all brokenness and the beginning of fresh growth.
Yes, God has begun and He is about to begin!
I feel this in my bones for myself, for my family, for you, dear sisters, and for (in)courage.
It’s important to both recall God’s track record of faithfulness and set our hearts to a posture of expectancy; to see what He’s done and to set our sights on what He will yet do.
For (in)courage, I think about the hundreds of thousands of words written in daily articles and recorded on the (in) podcast. We’ve created Bible studies about being courageous and letting God transform our hearts. We’ve written books about taking heart when life’s not okay, the power of kindness, and loving well when differences and disagreements feel insurmountable.
Why? Our (in)courage purpose and prayer in all things is that, as we look for God’s fingerprints in our imperfect stories and walk through Scripture together, we will be empowered to be like Jesus and live every day for Him.
Yeah, I’d say God has surely been answering this prayer!
So where do we go from here? How do we hold the goodness of all God has done (along with the heartache of living in a messed up world) and prepare ourselves for the “something new” God has promised?
In our individual lives and as a community, we can take our marching orders from Colossians 2:6-7:
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Friends, we continue. We continue devoting ourselves to authentic living, Scripture, and Jesus. We keep showing up in articles and comments (and our everyday lives) with raw stories and real hope. We keep linking arms as sister’s in Christ — God’s chosen daughters — and following Jesus wherever He leads.
Are you with me?
It’s one of my greatest joys to serve here at (in)courage. I pray you come to this little online living room and feel at home, welcomed, and loved by others. But even more, I pray you encounter Jesus. I pray you are held up and called up. I pray that together this year we will grow deep roots in Christ while expectantly watching for the new things God will do.
So much love,
Becky Keife
Community & Editorial Manager for (in)courage
P.S. If you were here with us five years ago, you might remember that Colossians was foundational in setting the new direction for (in)courage. How very like God to bring us back here with a reminder to continue. Makes me smile.
Thank you for all of the ways you pray for and guide this ministry. I loved reading your perspective about how you shepherd us well!
It is truly my joy, Kallie. And I’m so glad you’re here!
Amen! I would like to thank all of the (in)courage writers for drawing us closer to Jesus each day. Your honesty and courage to write about life as it really happens and to encourage us to turn to the Lord is truly a blessing. We look forward to what God has in store for all of us this coming year.
Amen!
Judy, your words of encouragement mean so much!
Thank you for this call to faithfulness today! As Christ followers, we live remembering and we live expectant – true hope for a world tossed by the wind. May we be women of prayer, ready to pull others to Our Anchor. I’m here for it!
Beautifully said, Michelle!
Thank you, Becky & the (in)courage staff for reflecting Jesus to us in such practical, challenging & uplifting ways. May our roots grow deep & fat only in rich soil of our Lord! Blessings,(((0)))
Praying along with you, Ruth. Grateful you’re here.
So thankful to have found Incourage. Daily devotionals have truly been a lifeline and an encouragement of hope.
Sonya, that makes me so happy to hear!
I so needed this inspirational message this morning. I am retiring from my position after 27 years, just placed our house on the market after 36 years and many memories. The rains came 3 days ago and wouldn’t you know that as soon as we decided to put our house on the market there is standing water in our backyard. God is in control and has a glorious plan for me and my husband. I need to trust in Him.
Linda, I’m so grateful this was timely for you. Surely God is not done writing your story. And He is so worthy of your trust!
We bought our house with a red wall in the family room. No one else loved that red wall so the house was on sale for six months with no offers in a hot market. We loved that red wall. The house was waiting for us in God’s timing.
It had everything we needed and wanted including an extra-large bedroom for my rapidly aging Mom who was moving with us. It was my dream house with a front porch and family room right off the kitchen and a formal dining room and a guest room with its own bathroom. I never thought I would live in such a perfect home.
Our buying our house, allowed the folks we bought it from to buy their house, which allowed a missionary to move to another state, and allowed the missionary to buy a home that moved another family along in God’s timing. We were all praying people and celebrated as we saw what God had done.
We know that God was lining us up for this house for years in advance. He knew where He wanted all these folks to move and at what time. I tell you this because He knows who needs to buy your house and when. He is lining them up and they may not mind a little standing water or they may not show up until the water is gone.
I am facing retirement in six years and have been in my job position for 23 years. I have been praying for God to lead me to His next assignment. I am excited to see what is next but I know change can be scary. I am out here holding your hand long distance and so glad I can tell you what God did in our lives so you can watch for it in yours. 🙂 LOVE YOU!
Thank you Debbie for your encouraging message and for sharing your story! Sending love!!
You all at (In)courage have blessed me with your devotions, studies, books and encouraging words. Your words have touched me during times I needed and helped me through some difficult times. Thank you all for your gift and willing to share it and bring love, hope, comfort and joy to us all. Blessings to each of you and prayers for your need too. Hugs
This means so much to read, Diane. Thank you.
Please keep my Mama (Linda) and me in your prayers today!
Lord, please guide Linda and Amy today with your love, your provision, and tangible reminders of your presence. Bless them, keep them, make your face shine upon them and be gracious to them. Give them your peace, Jesus. Amen.
Praise our Lord and thank you everyone for all of your commitment. My you all be Blessed
I really love today’s message! I love the message every day… but today really spoke to where I am in my faith journey. I’m revisiting a path, I guess you could call it, that God sent me down, several years ago and I fell away from last year. The message He gave me was: put down roots, build community, we’re not meant to do life alone. It’s interesting to hear you talk about “roots” here, in the sense of getting rooted in faith and in the Word. I have spent more time in the Word in the last seven months than at any other time in my life! Still, I feel I’m both flourishing and floundering. I see God’s provision in one area of my life, and I’m so thankful! I’m walking forward in faith waiting for the rest of the promise to be fulfilled, hoping I don’t mess up God’s plan along the way (again).
Angela, God delights in you! He is surely at work in your life and you can trust Him. Keep tuning your ear to His voice, reading His Word, and He will keep you on His path. You are His!
Becky, your post was such an encouragement this morning. Thank you for continuing this ministry- you and all the incourage staff and contributors. Thank you for encouraging us to continue and not give up, whatever that needs to look like in each of our lives.
Thank you. I feel like I am consistently floundering. I think I know where I am headed and then something seems to get in the way. I am trying to deepen my faith and all of you – staff and members of this community- have been such a help and inspiration. I cannot begin my day without reading what has been written. And it amazes me that it is so relevant- I ask myself “how did you know that’s what I needed?” And once again, this is what I needed. AMEN!!
Only God, right?! He’s so kind to give us the exact encouragement we need.
Thank you Becky for your steadfast faithfulness to this community. I’m turning 53 in March and in some ways I feel like im just getting started! Perhaps those roots take time to grow in strength to prepare us for what’s coming as life moves forward. Thank you for this encouragement 🙂
Kellie
*I’m (ugggg)
The beautiful thing about roots is that they never stop growing! (As long as they stay in good soil.) I’m expectant with you, Kellie, for the things God is doing in your life. Keep trusting in Him even when the growth looks slow.
They never stop growing, love that!
I am grateful for the day I discovered this website. Each article I read and each book and study I’ve ordered has been a blessing in my walk of faith.
Praise God! That is such a deep encouragement. Thank you, Maura.
Thank you Becky and all of the (in)Courage staff. This is my favorite of my morning readings. It is always encouraging to me. Praying for all of you and your families.
Dear Becky,
Thank you for all you, and the other ladies, do for us! Often I will pass one if your posts on to a friend, who’s struggling with something. You provide words of guidance and encouragement, when I struggle to find them. Thank you!
Thank you so much for all you do. I feel like Jesus is speaking directly to me from so many of your articles. I look forward to starting my day with the (in) courage articles. 🙂
Thank you for the joyful encouragement. I look forward to it everyday
Oh my goodness!! When I saw that verse I had to stop and say a thank you prayer right then! I have claimed this verse for myself and my family this year! I am seeking God as never before with all I am and looking for my streams in the desert and roads in the wilderness this year! I keep seeing this verse pop up so I know it’s God’s way of reminding me of all He plans to do this year. Thank you for all you do (have done) for incourage! I read the devotions every day. I LOVE the Take Heart devotional and journal. I have a few of the Bible studies and am waiting on my copy of Wisdom. It just makes me so excited when this verse comes up as another reminder of God’s faithfulness to see me through the desert I’ve been traveling in and to keep looking with expectation for the rivers before me!!
Thank you Becky and yo everyone who writes for (in) courage, reads (in) encourage and comments. My life has been blessed by so many of you, as I walk God’s path.
I love the diversity of ethnicities as well as ages of the women who gather here.
We look forward to this special place in the coming year.
Thank you for encouraging us to do deepen our roots in this journey of the life of faith.
Hi Becky,
Very encouraging article! Love the Colossians scripture.
The writers at (in)courage are so vulnerable regarding their lives and situations; they always bring everything back to Jesus which is why they resonate with so many readers.
When someone is still struggling with an issue I pray for them as well. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental, we can all use an extra prayer, even from a stranger, to help us through our situation.
Looking forward to further insights and reminders of living the Christian life in the year ahead.
Wishing you all numerous blessings this year.
Shalom, Sandy
Becky,
Been here since the beginning with Stephanie Bryant & Lisa Jo Baker. Followed some of the writers. Witnessed many changes over the years. One can tell God has certainly been with this project from the get go. Thank you for praying for us. Everyone needs prayer. Asking God to bless everyone including In Courage & the workers. You all do a tremendous job. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for us this year.
Blessings 🙂