Word!
Lots of people do it. Choose a word for the year. Maybe they pick a word that they hope will sum up what they hope to accomplish this year, who they want to be by the end of the year, what they hope to feel.
Apparently ‘Word for the Year’ has replaced the good ole ‘New Years Resolution’ – as evidenced by 99% of the conversations I’ve had with others about the beginning of the year. Resolutions are definitely out, as evidenced by Jonny’s unofficial poll during his sermon on January 8th.
It’s not just for Christians, either. But with Jesus’ followers it can be a little different. Many have talked about seeking God for a word for this year, expectant that he has something he wants to speak to us. Individually. Specifically.
On December 30th we were chatting with another missionary and he mentioned a sort of pressure he felt for the evening of the 31st to have a word for the year. He would be meeting up with friends and family and the expectation was that everyone would have a word from God for the year. Initially I was (secretly) dubious. I mean, can we really expect that God would have a word for each individual person? And then I thought, why would I expect that God – who has been speaking with humankind ever since he made them by speaking – would not have something to say! Yes, individually. Yes, specifically!
I have a word or two; a sentence maybe. I am still discerning which things are specifically from Jesus. What I’m noticing is that I am so hungry to hear from him. And if thinking about and seeking a ‘Word for the Year’ is what has sparked that, then so be it!
I have noticed that, in my hunger, I am finding more ways of actively seeking to discern what Jesus has for me this year. There are themes around belonging, sacred space, rhythm, eliminating, focus, creating, and provision. There are small goals I’ve made that I believe will help me enter into these larger themes. There are little shifts that I’m implementing that make me embrace these gifts in my day-to-day. There are real needs that I am praying for breakthrough in. And I’m expectant; I will encounter the Word this year.
What about you? What’s your word for the year?
Below are some suggested resources.
A Radical Approach to Planning for the New Year
It's radical, this episode from the Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast. Listening will take little time, implementing much. But it’s not too late to begin some radical approaches.
You Are Here
A free resource from Monk Manual to reflect and discern "a year of being and becoming."
The Intentional Year
A book by Glenn and Holly Packham about setting intentional rhythms - "for freedom, peace, and purpose."