It’s not too late! If you haven’t made any resolutions and don’t plan on it, you might want to consider choosing One Word for the New Year instead. This is a word that acts like a compass, a reminder, an anchor for the unfolding year.
This is the fourth year I’ve chosen One Word for the New Year. Past One Words have included Now, Change, and God. I love the process of choosing the word and then being mindful of it the whole year through. It’s so simple and clear, void of the possibility of disappointment and failed resolutions.
This is the way I go about choosing my One Word…
In the busy days of the Christmas season, I start thinking, praying, seeking, asking, Lord, what is my One Word for the New Year? What word would you have me consider, carry, claim?
I know God will give me something when I make a little space for quiet, to listen.
As I mentioned, last year, my word was “God.”
It seemed like an awfully big word, maybe even a little audacious. But God is so good. He had something so simple for me. Simple, but not easy.
I had strayed a little from God, Himself. I was active in prayer groups, bible studies, and read devotionals. But God seemed to just want a little more of me. A little more quiet time together. Just me and Him.
How amazing is that? My eternal, creator of the Universe, Alpha and Omega Father God called me into a year of Him. <<Click to Tweet
He always calls me to Him. Oh He does. But I get lost, caught up in the shuffle of life. In the To Dos, the dreams, the plans, the goals. I get busy and I shift my focus away from God.
How can I do that? How can I ignore that still small voice, calling me to sit beside Him, welcoming me to come on in to His sanctuary? How can I stray from my center? My rock? My strength?
Well, I can and I do. Then I become off kilter. And God in His mercy always calls me back. He waits. He steadies me.
He proves to me over and over again that He never leaves. <<Click to Tweet
So I’m thankful for this past year of reminders that God desires to be Number 1 and I need Him to be Number 1. It wasn’t a blaring loud clanging booming voice, but a consistent little nudge. Come to me!
In the days before January 1, a few words made their way into my thoughts but they were fleeting. You know those thoughts, the ones that occur when we’re driving, or exercising…shower thoughts. I didn’t write them down but they returned on January 1 during our annual New Year’s gathering, the one where I meet family and friends to share our One Words.
The possibilities floating around up until that day included…
Risk
Burst
Push
Believe
Intentional
God made that One Word known to me. It was the One Word that I couldn’t get away from. PUSH.
So we’ll see what God has in mind for me in light of PUSH. I have some thoughts, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. It was shortly after that that I came upon scripture that I believe will guide me further.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24
Seems like God may be calling me to grow up a bit.
How about you? Have you chosen One Word? If you have and you’ve blogged about it, LinkUp with us below. If you haven’t, we’d love for you to share it with us in the comments.
Click on the links below to other posts on One Word from Circles of Faith
What's Your One Word for the New Year?
My One Word for the New Year Update and LinkUp
Change – The One Word for the New Year I’m Resisting
Is One Word In The New Year More Powerful Than a List of 10 Resolutions?
Creative Ideas to Focus on Your One Word
To Make a New Year’s Resolution or Not? That Is The Question…
Elise Daly Parker has been married for 28 years and is mom to four mostly grown girls. She is a writer, editor, writing coach, and blogger. She believes we all have stories that matter--big life bios and small meaningful moments. Elise believes our stories are a reflection of God’s glory and are meant to be shared. They have the power to inform, reform, and transform. She loves God, family, friends...and really likes travel!