Defining 'Find'

My word for 2026 is 'Find'. Every year, I receive a word from straight from the Lord and this one is no exception. One of my favorite things to do when the Lord gives me my word for the year is to define it. So, let's start with what a simple Google search says about my word:

• Discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly

• Recognize or discover (something) to be present

• a discovery of something valuable, typically something of archaeological interest

In light of these definitions, and knowing my God, I think this year I am going to stumble upon nothing less than goodness, I think I'm going to discover His presence on a deeper level, and I think I'm going to find the ability to discern what is truly valuable.

Now, let's define the Greek translation of my word. Did that surprise you? I usually only do the Hebrew translation, but with my focus verse being a New Testament verse, and with the New Testament originally written in Greek, it feels fitting to look at both. Here is my focus verse in case you are curious:

Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "

The Greek word for 'find' is εὑρέω (heureō), Strong's # 2147. Here is how my concordance defines it:

• Used for all tenses, except the present and imperfect

• To find

• Find, get, obtain, perceive, see

The Hebrew word for 'find' is מָצָא (matsa'), Strong's # 4672. It's a long list so I will shorten it a bit for the sake of readibility:

• To come forth, that is to appear or exist

• To attain, that is to find or acquire

• (Figuratively) to occur, meet, or be present

• (Cause to) come on, come to, come to hand

• Be able

• Get (hold upon)

• Light (up-) on

• (Be) present

• Suffice

• Take hold

I LOVE the last one here - take hold. As soon as I read it these verses came to mind:

Philippians 3:10-12 NIV

[10] I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Take hold... Take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...

I could say that I will press on to find that for which Christ found me. To truly grasp it, to be able (and willing) to wrap my mind around it, to take hold of it and not let it go for anything. Like Paul says in the verses above, I WANT to KNOW Christ and all that entails, all that He accomplished on my behalf in order to "take hold of me", and all the power that was poured into that kind of sacrifice and humility.

Another word for find according to the Hebrew definition above is suffice which means to be enough or adequate and I have found this sacrifice to be enough.

I mentioned in my last post that I think I am going to find a deeper relationship with Jesus this year and I think this right here is where it starts. Grasping the understanding of what He did to 'take hold of me' was, is, and will always be enough.