The thought that a meaningful arrangement of letters could serve as a guidepost throughout the course of one year seemed highly unlikely to me…
until I actually tried it.
This concept was introduced to me by Julie Voorhees, who described it as a One Word Challenge.
Julie states: 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.
So in 2013, rather than list my resolutions (which curiously seemed to repeat themselves year after year), I took the plunge.
After careful consideration and prayer, receive was chosen – and God certainly threaded this word into my life in many ways throughout the course of the year.
One of my journal entries early on: Lord, allow me to be a vessel through which others receive You.
This prayer, repeated often during the past months, has actually become my personal mission statement.
God has shown me that I need to receive others more fully – talking less, listening more. (Still working on that one.)
Though I would much rather be giving, He has presented opportunities for me to humbly and gratefully receive the help and kindnesses offered by others.
And sadly, I had to receive the hard truth that something I wrote was deeply hurtful to someone who was grieving.
In whatever I read, receive caught my eye like a flashing light, giving me pause.
Each time this word came to mind or appeared in print, God reached in more deeply, and His guiding light grew brighter.
Having this focus word – and yes, one that challenges – has proven to be a purposeful way to journey through the year.
I love reflecting on the myriad of ways that God has used receive – to teach, to encourage, to help me grow.
For 2014?
My word surfaced in an instant. I am both excited and intrigued about what God will reveal through wholehearted.
And in case I didn’t make myself clear…I wholeheartedly recommend choosing a focus word for the year.
If you choose to do so, please share your word with beWARM!
To read more about choosing a word for the year click here.
