Has anyone asked what your one WORD is for the year?
I met with someone last Friday who shared how her one word is PEACE, pointing to Isaiah 55:
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…
Last year, my word was SEEK. And this year, my word is SEEK, based on Matthew 6:33:
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Quite frankly, I was ready for a new word but based on recent convictions from the Holy Spirit, scripture, and other divine inklings, it was clear I needed to stay put in 2014.
One of those inklings came while reading Mark Batterson’s The Circle Maker. This line stood out as I sought the Lord for an answer to a very important decision:
If you seek answers you won’t find them, but if you seek God, the answers will find you.
Every desire, request, answer—everything—kneels before God’s kingdom and his righteousness.
I realize choosing a particular word may seem gimmicky to some but for me, it has to do with intentionality. That’s how I want to live, and not just for the here and now but for the future generations to come because the decisions we make today will impact others — even those we may never meet on this side of heaven.
So I choose my word (or maybe the Word chose me) and I will keep it before me as a reminder of my priorities. Of my first Love.
Yet I hold this against you:
You have forsaken the love you had at first.
Revelation 2:4
Have you chosen one word for 2014? Please share!
Great post Cathy! 2011/2012- Rest. 2013- Write. 2014- Teach.
I also have a second word with each of these, but these have the predominant ones.
Bless you in 2014!! 😉
Good stuff, Hester! I look forward to seeing how the Lord uses your heart for teaching in 2014.
Blessings from bitter cold SC! 🙂
I'm not finished with "Simplify" yet, so it will continue to be my word for 2014 🙂 and my Scripture is the same as yours!
My word this year is "stronger." I've never selected a word before…never had desire to…but this word selected me…that this word was placed on my heart can't be denied. Stronger, meaning physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Stronger when criticism comes, when friends hurt, when bad news prevails…just everything. As usual, great post!
Last year, I asked God to give me a word for the year and "stark" came to me. It was true; last year was a stark one many times over. I was reluctant to ask for a new word for this year, but finally did. What came to me wasn't a word but a phrase: "our God reigns." I can't wait to see what unfolds in 2014.
Great word selection, Deb. You have such a gentle spirit but I sensed an underlying strength within you from the first time we met. I have no doubt God will use your desire for strength for His glory. In our weakness, He is strong. May He be strong through you (and us all) in 2014.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Cynthia, I can't wait to see what unfolds for the Howerter family in 2014 as well. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing, my friend.
I love that I'm not alone in needing to stick with my 2013 word, Celeste. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing — and by the way, with our "extra" stuff in a large storage locker (for staging purposes), I have a whole new appreciation for your word. Sigh.
i have never heard of choosing a word for the year before, & now that i'm in the blogging world i'm seeing it everywhere!! i love your reasons for choosing seek! my word for the year is balance!
Hi Robyn!!! It's great to hear from you. I love your word for the year and I praise God for all the wonderful things He's given you to balance. 🙂
Happy New Year to you and your sweet hubby!!!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
thanks Cathy! happy new year to you & Brian!! 🙂