Have you guys chosen One Word this year? I know it’s halfway through January and I’m late to the party, but give me a break…It’s been, well…complicated.
First, I asked my family members what word they would choose for me. Big mistake. I asked so I needed to listen, but not only did I get a bit of variety, but they weren’t words like “joy” or “adventure” – you know, the kind I wanted to hear. Ahem. My daughters gave me “perseverance”, and “patience”. REALLY?? That’s the last time I play THIS game!
Next, I prayed and reflected, but the word the Lord seemed to impress on me was also not one I was crazy about.
BO-RING! Right?
It made sense because I’ve been working hard on some different things and I need to not lose sight of the eternal purpose of each, but I thought (again), “REALLY? Blah.” So I tried to think of more exciting alternatives that wouldn’t violate the intent, but I came up empty.
And then the Lord did that thing where He kind of freaks me out. I could almost see Him rolling His eyes, saying “This daughter of mine is a little slow. I’d better connect the dots for her.”
Here are a few of the verses He put in front of me to stumble over…
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7
Maybe part of the fruit He wants to produce in me is patience and perseverance?
But there’s more.
My husband, John, (before I ever landed on “fruit”) said, “I’m not sure which one word it would be, but I want you to be able to celebrate the fruit God is already producing through you and enjoy it.”
Soooo maybe God uses a village? If you’ve chosen One Word for the year, what is it and what led you to choose it? If you’re commenting for the first time, don’t freak when it doesn’t show up immediately (it will, soon)
If you don’t have One Word yet, consider praying and asking your family.
P.S. This isn’t about working harder…not about doing more. It’s about paying attention and cooperating with the work God desires to do in your life to make you more like Him.
Hi Laura
My word is actually the same word twice as in more and more. I would say the word chose me rather than the other way around and came from reading various passages in Paul’s epistles. Then the song We Want You More and More was added to the mix. More of Him and less of me.
Hi Laura! So often the word is not what we want/ expect and then at the end of the year it is has worked out to be not what we expected either! My word this year was not my choice – territory… It will be interesting to see what it brings!
Yes! I’ve really resisted fruit (and all the discipline comes with it). “Territory” is a fascinating word! So much to explore in Scripture! I really want to hear how you see God using that word in your life as the year goes on!
That’s so great Opal – but a hard idea! Was it the specific word you saw in the epistles, or the principle that led you to the word?
Love the idea of asking my family. Going to do that. Okay that it’s almost February???
You and me, sister – we’re in the slow group 🙂