2025: The Year of Grace Multiplied

We are really 25 YEARS into the 2000s!

It seemed like just yesterday that everyone was freaking out about us entering a new millennium. I was enjoying being a kid — dreaming of what I'd become when I grew up.

Fast-forward to today, a random, cold day in January: I am 33 years into a well-lived life and in awe of how much has changed in our world, and within me, in the last 25 years.

It got me thinking about the significance of 25, so I googled the Biblical meaning of the number.

The idea of this being a year of "grace upon grace" captivated me because of how deep the word runs. People have their different definitions, but I wanted to understand the original meaning.

In Hebrew and Greek, it's much deeper than forgiving and having mercy on others.

The word is "Hesed or Checed" in Hebrew, which means kindness, charity, favor, graciousness. In Exodus 34: 6-7, it is used to describe Jesus.

“Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love [checed] and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love [checed] to a thousand generations,"

And in 2 Corinthians 20:, when the Lord caused Israel's enemies to turn on each other.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love {checed} endures forever.”

And in Ezra 2:11, when the Lord helped Isreal to rebuild the foundation of the Lord's temple after returning from exile.

"With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.”

In Greek, it translates from the word "charis," which means favor, gratitude, thanks, kindness, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, it makes us whole, despite what it may seem we lack.

“My grace [charis] is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

In my study, there was a common theme. No matter the translation...

Grace is the unmerited favor of God toward humanity.

Grace is a gift.

Grace is love.

Grace is protection.

Grace is empowerment.

Grace is Jesus.

This year, I pray we experience it all, and see it all multiplied.

I pray that the presence of Jesus is amplified in your life, producing an abundance of favor, wholeness, and blessings that you have to give away to others, to His Glory. I pray that our hearts are open to receive overwhelming goodness, despite what we feel like we deserve. I pray that we walk into new opportunities and elevation we could never conjured up for ourselves. And I pray, that our relationship with Jesus leads to the wisdom that enhances or length of days, riches and honor [Proverbs 3:13, 16].

Here's to 2025!