Reach!

My word for 2012 has arrived.

REACH

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

~Harriet Tubman

I wasn’t initially impressed by this word. It’s not as flowery off the tongue as other words. When you repeat it over and over, it begins to sound like my geriatric cat when she’s about to give me a mess to clean up.

But as I thought through the meanings of the word, I began to understand.

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:14 (NLT)

A person can reach, as in reach for a dream. I’ve been stangent in this area for a couple months. Reach for me can mean to relight the fire that fuels my passions.

To reach a port, we must sail – sail, not tie at anchor – sail, not drift.

~Franklin D. Roosevelt

We also reach out for help. I’m so bad at this. Being a bit independent (okay, maybe more than a bit), I tend to try and fix situations on my own. This year I’ll focus on reaching toward God and accepting His hand rather than my usual, “I can do it myself!” plan.

Reach can refer to our own choices to reach out to those around us. In this way, reach is similar to compassion. I can offer mercy, grace and help to the people in my life.

Reaching out with forgiveness is a blessing for both participants.
Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.

~Muhammed Ali