Behold
It’s (almost) August of 2020.
How?
I’m not sure.
This year has been anything but expected.
And I hate that a sentence like that is beginning to lose its power and become quite common. Unexpected cannot be underestimated.
And all of this has left me feeling exhausted.
You too?
But what if we were to slow down, lean in, and look around?
What would we see?
Who would we see?
What would we find?
How would we feel?
In December I wrote down one word for each month.
This was before we were aware of COVID-19.
This was before our world began taking a much needed look at our culture.
This was before everything we knew was put under a microscope.
This was before we experienced decision fatigue, cancelled plans, and we were forced into a new way of living.
The word I chose for the month of August is behold.
And I think the word behold is quite fitting for this month, no matter how August found us.
Eight months in and it’s time to slow down.
Eight months in and it’s time to lean in.
Eight months in and it’s time to look around.
Behold.
When was the last time you used the word behold?
Maybe that’s why I enjoy this word.
It’s uncommon.
It’s rare.
It’s refreshing.
Behold.
It was during the Christmas season when I jotted down my 12 Words for 2020.
The word behold transports me to the re-telling of Jesus’ birth.
In Luke 2:10-11 we read,
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Behold.
be· hold
| \ bi-ˈhōld , bē- \
1: to perceive through sight or apprehension
2: to gaze upon
It’s hard to say the word behold and not pause after saying it.
This word is an invitation to slow down, lean in, and look around.
And that is what I need to do today (and tomorrow and the next day …).
Slow down.
Lean in.
Look around.
Behold is a reminder to drop my fear, pride, and excuses.
Behold is a reminder that something more is happening.
Behold is a reminder that hope is near and we are far from done.
For like the story in Luke goes, Jesus is with us.
In the middle of uncertainty, Jesus arrives.
Behold, Jesus is with us.
Slow down.
Lean in.
Look around.
I think you’ll be surprised with what you find.
.. .. ..
With hope,
Tanner Olson
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Tanner Olson is a writer, speaker, poet, spoken-word artist, & creator of Written to Speak.
He created Written to Speak to share hope & announce love.