Reflection…Resolution…Anticipation…Hope…
Any of these words may occupy your thoughts on the cusp of a brand new year.
Have you ever thought about choosing one word that would serve as your focus – and your challenge – for the entire year?
I never did, either, until I became acquainted with Julie Voorhees, who has conceived and initiated this practice for the past 5 years. I think this idea has great potential in giving each of us a specific focal point for the year – and one that will direct our minds and hearts toward God.
So, dear readers, as this year comes to a close, I share Julie’s words with you, and hope that you will consider adopting your own word for 2013. I have an idea of what mine will be; I will share that soon…
Happy New Year…and Happy Choosing!
From Julie:
A new year means one new word. This is my fifth year of choosing just one word that will be my focus—and my challenge—for the year. My reflection of past words is much more uplifting than my reflection in the mirror lately. Though face and skin can weaken with accumulated years, my heart seems to gain vibrancy and resolve as each new word unfolds throughout the year. The mirror reveals a progression of age, but my words…they reveal a progression of the soul.
In my eagerness to select my first word five years ago, my first word was more of a romanticized goal. Embolden…even the word sounded captivating and melodic. I recall several decisions that year where I forged ahead to be emboldened, rather than allowing God’s plan for me. It is not unusual for one word to stretch beyond its definition. My embolden also included several lessons in humility.
My subsequent words have revealed a shift from the word being my idea to realizing that God has an idea for me. Already I have noticed that God’s plan for me has been to move me away from that place of needing to keep myself protected behind walls and from needing to ‘fix’ others. My words have opened wide the door to receive God’s grace and then to extend grace to others.
The one word challenge is very different from making resolutions to achieve or setting goals to be met. A focus word is simply an invitation for God to work out His unique plan for you. This one word serves as a reference point for the next 12 months. Without obsessing about the word or His plan, you simply allow the word to creatively surface. And pretty soon, you naturally begin to notice how God is intimately working in and through your life.
If you want a year infused with focus, unconditional love and life-changing power of a Master Designer, I challenge you to begin this new year with hope…and with one focus word. Should choosing a focus word be new to you, here are some helpful suggestions in selecting your unique word for the year:
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For more about Julie, visit her blog, Inviting Connections or listen to her interview with Geri Swingle about Word For The Year.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
beWARM 
This is great! I’ll be awaiting my word and yours!!!
Great, Louise!
“TEACH” as in Teach me, Lord. That appears to be the word for me.
I am so ready to be taught by Him, so eager to serve and worship Him as He teaches me how. Teach me in the Word, teach me through my friends and family, Christian and non-Christian, teach me through clients, teach me through my course in Biblical Change. Teach me to pray. There is no end to the teaching that could happen.
He’s already working it, through prayer. Do not seek comfort for yourself nor for your children. At least don’t put comfort in front of My teaching…ouch.
This is beautiful, Mary Jane! Can’t wait to hear what you are learning….
ps How did I find my word? In the Word, reading, it leapt out at me.
[…] To read more about choosing a word for the year click here. […]
I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since you first introduced me to “one word”. I chose “listen” for 2013. I wrote it out and taped it on the base of my desk lamp for a constant reminder. I’m not sure I’ll have a new word for 2014, as I’m thinking God may want me to continue another year with “listen”. Something to pray about.