To be honest… I didn’t like the word God gave me for 2021. (In fact, I even asked Him for another one at first!🙈)

He said no. 👍🏼😂

“Consecrate.“

So… I started researching.

(Side note: BlueLetterBible.org is my favorite resource to really dig into the depth and breadth of scripture! I’ve used it to examine the Greek/Hebrew meaning of words, and connect the dots to other passages in ways I never saw before. I highly recommend it, and you can also download the app on your phone!)

And this is what I found:

The Hebrew word (“qadash”) translates, “to set apart and appoint; to sanctify; to be hallowed and make holy; to honor, dedicate, and devote; to regard as sacred and make ceremonially clean.”

And there’s more:

The Hebrew characters for CONSECRATE are: qoof dalet sheen.

• Qoof: the character resembles the back of a person’s head and means “behind, the last, or the least.”
• Dalet: resembles the picture of a doorway and points to a place where change can take place, or a place of decision.
• Sheen: is a picture of teeth and means to consume, to destroy, or to press.

This word is used several times in Joshua:

“Then Joshua said to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”

Joshua 3:5

“…I will be with you no more unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.’”

Joshua 7:12-13

So this means – whether or not we “consecrate ourselves” can make the difference between experiencing miracles or experiencing defeat.

As God’s “image-bearers” (Genesis 1:27), we are called to be set apart and to reflect God’s holiness – which means our “human-ness” must be separated and surrendered.

And when we truly humble ourselves (“qoof”), and embrace the sanctification process (“sheen”), that will lead to open doors to transformation and miracles (“dalet”).

So here’s my 2021 challenge: We are all hungry for a transformed year of miracles. …But what if that transformation must first begin with us?  

In Joshua 3, the people were called to “consecrate themselves” to prepare for God to work wonders among them. And in Joshua 7, they were commanded to do so, because they could not stand before their enemies until their devoted things were taken away. Whether or not they consecrated themselves made the difference between experiencing God’s wonders – and experiencing defeat by their enemies.

How is the Holy Spirit prompting your heart for transformation? What are the “devoted things” in your life?

One thing God already revealed for me is my “need to control.” After an emotionally exhausting day a few weeks ago, the Holy Spirit revealed how I need to work on releasing control and embracing change for the sake of others – not myself. Let me tell you – I was not happy with this revelation at all 😂 but I also know this as an opportunity to examine parts of my heart that have not been sanctified, and to transform the “human” into “holy.”

So here’s to a transformative year! Do you have a word for 2021?