Resolutions or a Word?
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Does your list motivate you? Does it work? Or does it disappoint you and yell, “You can’t change, so why even try?”
I’m done with resolutions. They never worked for me. Sure, the list was great, but I needed something simpler. A clear focus.
So instead of resolutions, I’ve adopted another annual tradition thanks to an article a friend of mine shared with me four years ago. In this article, the writer suggested picking a word for the year. Actually the idea was such a powerful one that I’ve picked a word every year since. I love it.
The purpose of picking a word/s is to intentionally focus on growing in that area throughout the year. If you want, you can add memorizing verses with your word in it. You can pray specifically using your word. You can be creative and make a piece of art for a visual reminder. There are no rules. It’s just a word to keep in mind. Use it whenever and however you want. Ask God what He wants.
Some people might prefer to focus on a verse instead of a word. That works too.
One year I picked the word “trust” because I struggled with a lot of fear. I wanted to trust God more. I needed to stop panicking. That year every time I read or heard “trust”, it popped out. I took notice. Sometimes I prayed, “What are you trying to teach me, Lord?” “How can I learn to trust you more today?”
This year my words were “freely give.” I couldn’t pick just one word. Freely meant something to me. Giving is so much more than money, isn’t it? God used different sized packages called circumstances or relationships to teach me. I’m still learning what that looks like. It’s not easy. but it’s full of rewards. Maybe I will post another entry later about what God used to shape my ability to give without expectation.
Sound interesting? Want to join me in starting off 2009 with a word or a verse? If so, now is the time to start praying.
Heavenly Father, you know each one of us by name. You know our needs, our strengths, our weaknesses, our joys and pains. You know what 2009 holds. Please speak to us individually as we seek You for a word or verse for next year. Bring to our minds the perfect theme for where we are. Somehow get our attention. Search our hearts. Use Scripture, a song, a book, a movie, or even a letter from a friend. We want to honor You with our lives. With each passing year, we want to be more like You. If our journey for 2009 includes adding a word, then make it clear. We are looking and listening. In Jesus name, Amen.
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, (NLT).
Enjoy His presence-our greatest gift-this Christmas,
Tiffany
Tea with Tiffany http://www.teawithtiffany.blogspot.com
Tiffany,
What a great idea! If we meditate upon the scriptures all year long that go with that “word” we have – how much more meaning will that particular word have for us. Thanks for sharing.
Great idea, Tiffany. I’ve kind of done that this year. The words live intentionally have stuck in my head all year. I’m going to begin to pray about ’09’s word.
Wonderful post, my friend.
Tiffany,
This is wonderful. I don’t do NY’s resolutions either and actually January of 2007 I began focusing on ‘biblical goals’ is what I called it but it related to all areas of my life: Spirit, soul, body, relational, ministry and so on. Relating the Word of God fully to areas of my life as I lived day to day and this month being the final month of this year I have been really thinking about the year (pondering) and recapping the year and looking forward to next year so perhaps this time I will use your idea and focus on a word or words. I actually this morning as I left to go to Curves to work out, thought of words for 2009 that reflected inward (care of Lisa), outward (care of others) and upward (care of the Lord) use of my life so this is certainly in line with what you’re saying and I appreciate the Lord in using you to speak it!
Bless you.
What a great idea! However, I do like to write out my personal and professional goals each year. The act of writing them down helps me much.
But I just may take up your suggestion too. You hit mine right on the head; TRUST. I struggle with fear at times. And right now, it seems to be roaring its ugly head. With much uncertainty, I need to trust the Lord with all of the details of my life.
So, thank you for bringing up this topic. And I will write down Bible verses to help me learn to trust God more each day.
Debbie, thank you for sharing your thoughts about writing down your personal and professional goals. I will add to your comment and say that I too believe in penning down goals. I’ve read too many books about how to succeed to not write them down. I have my “bucket list.”
However I no longer do them as a “resolution.” I revisit my goals throughout the year and make changes accordingly. And for me, I don’t necessarily make my goal list in January. I do it whenever. I also revisit my life purpose statement and values from time to time.
Without a plan, it’s hard to succeed.
I feel the same way about resolutions Tiffany. This past year the Lord gave me a verse too. I’m waiting to see what the new year brings. Perhaps I will continue with this one – until I really get it deep down into my heart.
Such an awesome idea my friend, love you.
Hi Tiffany,
Wow, I amgoing to really ask the Lord what word is for me in 2009. You really made me think and I will seek. Neat. Hugs and Merry Christmas.
This was a great posting Tiffany. So much confirmation..I was just visiting Lisa Shaw’s site and I told her there seems to be a theme here. Our Lord has us all reflecting on how we can better serve, others, and share the Gospel. That is what we are doing when we allow the Lord to have His was in our lives, we are sharing the Gospel. Others will see Him and us and they will be drawn to the Love of Christ.
I just wrote a posting on reflecting on this past year. I am really excited for this upcoming year, We should all be expecting the Lord to do a great work in our lives. The more we draw closer to Him the more miracles manifest in our lives. After all we are all walking miracles and trophies of grace.
God bless you sister..