As you may know from previous blogs, our family has made a habit of selecting a word for each year. As December draws to an end, we try to spend time reflecting on the previous year and the “one word” we’d chosen. Then looking ahead, we pray and discern what our word for the coming year will be. My word for 2024 was redeem. And I was amazed as I looked back and thought of some of the things I felt were redeemed during the year. I began to think about 2025, and it was actually through a couple of prophetic, encouraging words that a theme began to resonate in my heart. It’s always been one word in the past, but I sort of broke the rules, so to speak, for this year. After praying about it and receiving some more confirmation, I settled on “Lean In” for my 2025 theme. 

There are several things that come to mind when I think of leaning in. First of all, I thought of what it meant to lean in. The word lean is indicative of trust and intimacy. I thought of the story of Jesus and His disciples at the Last Supper. John, the disciple Jesus loved, is described as leaning or reclining against Jesus during the meal and conversation. In our cultural context, that might sound a little weird, which is perhaps why the wording is changed in many translations, but I believe it paints a powerful image of the intimacy we’re meant to have with Jesus. To be so comfortable, so at peace, that you can just lean against Him. 

Something else that comes to mind when I think of leaning in is that it implies intentionality. I’ve heard the phrase used in many contexts. For instance, encouraging someone to lean in to their gifting. Or to lean in to a community. What it’s saying is to be intentional. To be confident. There is, of course, an element of risk which takes us back to the trust piece of the definition. I know firsthand that this can be particularly difficult if leaning in has led to pain in the past. It can be so tempting to want to play it safe. And I do believe that there are seasons that call us to step back and heal or refresh. But those seasons have to be intentional. I’ve often heard the phrase “time heals all wounds,” and I believe we’re missing it a little bit when we believe that. While it does take time to heal our wounds, simply waiting for them to heal doesn’t exactly work. So if you’re in a period of healing, first of all you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I still am working through a lot of hurt, but let me encourage you to lean in to the Lord. Be intentional about it. Something else I’m discovering right now is a new way, or maybe just a new perspective, on leaning in to my gifting. God gave me a musical gift and creativity to go with it. Up until a couple years ago, it was my career. Now I’ve shifted to just leading worship and playing music as a volunteer. While it has been a challenge, it’s been a really freeing time for me. 

One final thought on this idea of leaning in is going back to the element of trust. As I pondered this theme for 2025, I thought of a trust fall. I assume most, if not all of you are familiar, but just in case, a trust fall is when someone stands, typically on an elevated surface, closes their eyes, and falls backward trusting that the group of people behind them will catch them. There are so many times I wish it wasn’t the case, but life really is like that sometimes. We find ourselves in situations where we just have to lean/fall back and trust that someone will be there to catch us. It’s a bit unnerving. I find myself in the midst of a very real example. As I’ve shared before, I made the decision a couple years ago to change careers and pursue my childhood dream of being a pilot. While it has taken much longer than I initially thought, I’m getting close to beginning to work as a flight instructor, which is a major step. I plan to do that for a couple years, building up flight hours until I reach the minimum number for airlines (1500). If you’re at all familiar with the aviation industry though, you know that things have shifted dramatically over the last few months. After a huge hiring boom, things have slowed to a crawl. I find myself in a position where I just have to trust that things will turn back around. Logically, I’m led to believe things will turn around again, but it’s still a bit nerve-racking. I have to make the decision to lean in and trust the Lord, to lean in and trust those He’s put in my life, and believe that it’s all gonna work out.

What an interesting season of life I find myself in. Uncertainty around my career, financial challenges in the pursuit of that career, and all the while still working on healing and recovering from the way the last career ended. I really believe that if I am intentional about leaning in this year, unbelievable things will happen. As you read this, I hope you find some comfort and encouragement. Lean in to the God that loves you. Lean in to the God who is faithful. Lean in to that gift that He’s put inside you. Lean in to the community He’s placed you in.