A New Decade
I was born in 1960. Yikes! This will be my sixth decade on this planet. I’ve always liked my birth year because it makes the math easy. And yesterday Doug and I celebrated 25 years, yet another milestone. Today we embark on not just a new year, but a new decade. 2020… When I was a child I had a hard time imagining the year 2000 and the turn of the century. Remember the hype? In spite of the swirling threats, we made it through Y2K unscathed. 2020 is the next logical calendar milestone to wonder about.
The Jetsons
I’m dating myself but do you remember The Jetsons? Meet George Jetson…space age music… his boy Elroy….more space age music. Daughter Judy… music… Jane his wife. I loved the show and its theme song is etched on my memory. If you need a more accurate refresher here is a clip.
The cartoon, debuting in 1962, symbolized the utopia promised by technology. The Jetsons lived in an ozone scraping luxury smart home that could dress and groom them and came equipped with robot housekeepers. It was a vertical manifest destiny and one we could hang our starry-eyed hopes about our future. The cartoon producers didn’t get everything right but that is not to say that technology hasn’t changed us.
Technology’s Grip
Technology has a tight grip for sure. Fandango asks me how I liked the movie and suggests others I might like. Siri knows my voice. And even understands my exasperated tone when I holler, hey Siri, call Doug.” Amazon and Netflix know my likes. And if I do any internet research, I can’t just walk away without a borage of reminders. Alexa invites my mother to drop in on me in Albuquerque from her room in Pennsylvania. Thanks to my Christmas present, I can bark at my wrist and learn what the temperature will be in Sri Lanka tomorrow… in case I needed to know that. Do you ever wonder if we keep pace, what life will be like on planet earth at the turn of the next century?
Culture too
But it’s not just technology that has a grip on us. It can feel as if our culture demands that we go with its flow regardless of the direction that flow is headed. It’s easy to feel like George Jetson who at the end of the opening theme song screams “Stop this crazy thing” as the treadmill he was peacefully walking the dog on speeds up and won’t let him off.
January 1, 2020
Check it out. 20-20, as in perfect vision. What is your vision for this next year? Can you see what lies ahead? Clearly? A new year not to mention a new decade is an ideal time to establish a plan. But, I’d suggest as a Christ follower, He would like to weigh in.
As a clever spin on the year 2020 and because I want Him to influence my vision, I’ve been praying … Open the eyes of my heart Lord. I want to see you. Obviously His word provides helpful direction.
Psalm 119:105 By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. (MSG)
Word for the Year
But also, have you ever taken the time to choose a word for your year? A word that the Lord gives you to provide some focus and direction. I came across a website sponsored by Dayspring that asks you a few pointed questions to direct you to your suggested word. I found it helpful. If you’d like to utilize it here is the link. 2020 Word
I’ve found my word and would love to know yours. I’m intrigued and plan to do some deeper study.
Whether or not you utilize this tool, I recommend you pause and take a moment, or a day, or week to think and pray about your vision for the year and decade to come. Without some focused intention, I doubt you’ll be able to “stop this crazy thing”.
Happy New Year! Debbie Hucke
Ginger Horner says
Thank you for your message, Debbie. I found your words encouraging as we begin a new year and decade.
I was intrigued by the word for me to help focus on the coming year.
It was bloom.
Kind of surprised me. Bloom—at my age. Sure! I look forward to exploring this word for my life— even at my advanced age. lol.
example: Bloom in the Bible. Studying, living His word, etc. I look forward to the journey.
Thanks for your words and the chance to bloom—in place.
Ginger
debhucke says
Thanks for telling me. What a great word to carry you this year and beyond!
Hannatjie says
My word is abide
debhucke says
Im glad you took the time. Mine is too!
Mary Park Keppel says
Thank you Deb.
My 20-20 word is abide.
debhucke says
Me too!
Mary says
Rest! Physically and emotionally, especially recently, I am like George on the treadmill. I need to be resting…most importantly is His word! Challenge accepted! Thanks Debbie.
debhucke says
Yes…. Stopping this crazy thing is critical. Here’s to a priority of rest.
sheri french says
My word is rest, too. So hard to do when life is so exciting that I think up things to do 7×70 times faster than I what can accomplish.
debhucke says
Sounds like it’s a word for you Sheri!
Betsy Everett says
Loved the idea of a word for the year! I had a hard time deciding on my answers as I vasilated between wanting to “be still” and “pouring into others”!
Ended up with ” gather” as my my word.
Betsy
debhucke says
Hmmm. Gather. Interesting. You are such a giver Betsy. It makes sense.
Anne Kole says
Debbie, I took the quiz and my word is “gather”. Now I must meditate on how that can play out. Not sure but am praying for insight.
debhucke says
Interesting. Hmmm. Perhaps read and meditative on the scriptures that were offered.
John Cochran says
Happy New Year to you and your family. Are you in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl?
A word for the year- confidence.
debhucke says
No. John. We are in Scottsdale. We will go to a Baylor watch party tonight. But we’re not there live. Sic ’em Bears.
Leah Johnson says
My word is abide. Not what I expected. I’ll be interested to see the content they send.
debhucke says
That was my word too Leah. As I’ve “sit with it” my picture has become more secure and meaningful.
Vicki Bannerman says
I so loved your 2020-20/20 analogy. I had my first cataract surgery last week, with the second one scheduled next week. I have not seen so brightly and clearly since I was a child. I head into the new decade with new eyesight and, inspired by by your post, new insight. Also interestingly, several Scriptures a couple of days ago led me to a single word for the the new year.
As always, I am blessed by your God-inspired message. Thank you, Debbie.
debhucke says
Congrats on clear vision for 2020. I love when the lord guides me to a word. Thanks for your public post!
Susie says
I enjoyed your message today and reminisced about the time in my life where I watched the Jetsons. My word was Bloom. I will pray about that and see where God will be leading me. Before I went to the Dayspring website, I was thinking health would be my word but I like Bloom better:)
debhucke says
I would definitely listen to his word for you no matter it’s source! Maybe He’s also telling you it’s time to visit Abq. Ha! Have a great 2020 Susie.
Karen Chalmers says
Mine is Gather.
Betsy, you & I are true sisters in the Lord.
Love how this plays out as we all have a part to play in God’s kingdom.
Betsy Everett says
Amen to that sister!
debhucke says
Gather… perfect for you. Foster fellowship. Definitely one of your gifts.
Sheri says
ABIDE: 1 : to remain stable or fixed in a state a love that abided with him all his days. 2 : to continue in a place : sojourn will abide in the house of the Lord. abide by. 1 : to conform to abide by the rules. 2 : to accept without objection : to acquiesce in will abide by your decision.
debhucke says
Me too. I love the picture it gives me of staying close…A sense of security.
Carolyn says
My word is bloom. Interesting to see where it leads.
debhucke says
Bloom… Sounds like God wants to use you right where you are.
Mary says
Debbie,
Happy New Year to you and your family. My word was gather. Look forward to Pershing the meaning there.
Thanks for you sharing!! Hoping to improve my eyesight in 2020.
Blessings,
Mary
debhucke says
Gather. Sounds to me as if you’re the glue for Him to do a work in others you’re connected to. Amen to better vision! Debbie
Joan says
Debbie, you are such an encouragement to me in this blog, so I wanted to reply in spite of my introverted self! My word for 2020 is Bloom. In my reflections on this, God is whispering that he wants me to let the petals protecting my heart open up to reveal his Holy Spirit residing in me. He’s telling me I can no longer use the excuse of shyness or insecurity to prevent me from things like sharing my faith with others, or reaching out to someone who is clearly hurting. This will be a huge challenge for me, but not for Him! Let the blooming begin!!!
debhucke says
Blooming Joan…. I am so very proud of you. What a beautiful picture He has given you. I’m excited for you. Debbie
Martha Nail says
A very interesting exercise….thought provoking questions…mine is abide. Very comforting and encouraging for where I am and what I am facing.
Thank you for sharing this little resource.
Blessings
debhucke says
I too was directed to Abide. Stay tuned for further study of the word. Thanks Martha.
Sharon Powell says
Hi Debbie,
The word that I decided on is “presence.” So thankful for you and your faithfulness!
debhucke says
Happy New Year Sharon. I LOVE your word. Being present is so difficult but rewarding. No if only… no what if… relish the present. Praying that God meets you with His presence in the present.