“If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
-John 15:7
For a writer, life becomes all about WORDS. So, for the past two years I have chosen a word to be my focus throughout the year, and have been excited to see where God has led me as I delved in to researching the meaning both biblically and academically.
In 2010 my word was BOLD. I don’t think it was actually my first choice, but it definitely was one that God kept nudging me with until I finally gave in. And I was so glad I did. At the end of the year I couldn’t believe how blessed I was by what God revealed to me about “holy boldness,” and the amazing lessons I learned as I dug deeper in to scripture verses such as Ephesians 3:12, “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.”
For 2011, the word I chose was PEACE and God added on the word SPARKLE. As my journey to seek peace became a daily mission, “sparkle” became my response - the action for all I was learning.
Once again this year I started my search for a new word. I began early (actually right around Thanksgiving), but it wasn’t until yesterday that God helped me narrow down my list of possibilities. After much prayer and even a little tug of war with God, I am claiming my word for 2012 as SELF-DISCIPLINE. I’m not sure how I feel about it right now, but I know that God will use it to teach me so much if I just surrender to Him and stay out of his way!
Many years back, author Debbie Macomber decided to select a word to serve as her personal focus for the year. In her book One Perfect Word she had this to say, “When we choose one single word from His Word and spend a year with it, I’ve found that the Lord takes us by the hand and walks us through the year, teaching us about that word, about ourselves, and even more, about God Himself.”
According to the myoneword.org website, “My One Word” is an experiment designed to move you beyond the past and look ahead. The challenge is simple: lose the long list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick ONE WORD. This process provides clarity by taking all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single thing.”
The “one word” challenge has definitely become the “buzz” with bloggers and Christian organizations such as K-Love Radio joining the project, but did you know that there is a biblical basis for choosing one word. Scripture describes how God selected individual words that needed to become the focus of many of his followers (in order for them to be prepared for the plans He had for them).
Moses’ word = HUMILITY (Exodus 3:12)
Joshua’s word = STRENGTH/ COURAGE (Joshua 1:6-7)
Solomon’s word = WISDOM (1 Kings 4:29-30)
On New Year’s Eve I posed a question on my blog readers, “Have you chosen “one word” to focus on in 2012?” If you have already determined what your word is going to be, please feel free to share it below. If not, keep reading because I have some information that may be helpful.
Today I listened to a sermon entitled, “The Word 2012.” Coincidence, I think not! The pastor answered two important questions you have probably been asking yourself ... Why choose one word? His response was ... “sometimes our lives need a change or focus, and sometimes we just need to grow in sustenance.” And how do we select our word? Pray first - then, “look for where God is doing work in your life and join Him there.”
Here are two things that we need to remember:
1. Don’t just listen to God’s prompting, but act on it. Ask yourself, What steps will I take to be obedient, to grow in the word that I have chosen?
2. Just because we focus on one word, we can’t dismiss the fact that other words may be intertwined. Don’t be surprised if your “word” brings other words with it (such as my example about “peace” and “sparkle”).
My prayer is that 2012 will be more than just changing the calendar. May it truly be a year of change for our new life (and stronger walk) with Christ.
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver
It’s not too late to pick ONE WORD for 2012, check it out:
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