Choose one word for the year.
A word that will inspire and motivate you throughout the year.
One word that will give you clarity and a vision.
To me that sounds like good advice.
It’s the advice I give to others and the advice I follow too.
My words have all been powerful. Frankly speaking, maybe too powerful. (And I don’t mean that in a good way one little bit).
The truth is, I admit I’m a little bit afraid of my word.
Not because of the word itself. I mean, after all, it’s really just one . little. word.
Just four letters.
But I’m apprehensive (maybe that’s a better word) because of what this word represents for me in 2018.
You see, every single year, God has taught me some deep lessons using my word as the vehicle.
And can I be real with you for a moment?
I’d really rather skip the lessons. Am I alone in this?
Yes, I know that keeping my word to myself won’t make the lessons go away. Ha! How I wish!
But the real reason I won’t be sharing my word (just yet), is very simple.
I’ve learned not to interpret what God will do with my word.
Here’s what I mean. For the past two years since starting this blog, I would share my word for the year. In 2016 I had the word ENOUGH. Then, last year my word for the year was NEW. Each and every time, I’d put expectations on that word. I would put my word in the context I expected it to have.
I put limits around my word that didn’t need to be there.
I see now that part of the beauty of having a word for the year is that my word always surprises me.
It’s as if my word for the year takes on a life of its own. And in God’s hands, it’s always good.
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I’m convinced that the word I chose each year was exactly the word I needed. God has used my word in various ways to speak to me and protect me.
For God does speak—now one way, now another—
though no one perceives it.
In a dream, in a vision of the night,
when deep sleep falls on people
as they slumber in their beds,
he may speak in their ears
and terrify them with warnings,
to turn them from wrongdoing
and keep them from pride,
to preserve them from the pit,
their lives from perishing by the sword.
I have grown, I’ve been stretched and most of all, I’ve developed reliance and dependence on God.
So this year, I surrender my word to him. (I pray I don’t regret saying this but…) I hand my word over to God to allow Him to use it in my life as He sees fit.
I lay it all down.
No more limits, no more expectations, no more misconstrued context.
Just one word for God to use as He will.
And at some point, I might write about my word and the lessons I’m learning. But for now, my word will remain in God’s capable hands. No interference from me, I promise.
There’s still some One Word hope
In the event you stopped by today looking for some one word inspiration for your year, I’d rather not disappoint you. Go ahead and check out some of my blogging friends and what they have to say about their word for the year.
Below you’ll find words from Katie M. Reid, Lauren Gaskill, Liz at My Messy Desk, Jennifer Bly (The Deliberate Mom), Betty Daly (Let’s Get Real), and Julie Lefebure.
You’ll just have to click through to find out which word is whose.
♥ Peace
♥ Shine
♥ Daughter
♥ Hope
♥ Pray and Advance (you’ll see why this one has two words)
And while I’m not sharing my word for the year just yet, I tell all about my One Word process in my newest resource, Spark Success Handbook — Goal Planning Made Simple. You can even get a special discount (from $7.50 to $5.00) when you use the code NEWSTART at checkout. Get yours here: https://gum.co/goals-handbook.
So, if you thought I was jumping off the one word bandwagon, I can assure you that I’m still fully on.
I still love having a word to inspire, motivate and encourage me. And my word actually becomes the springboard for the rest of my year. It shapes my goals, informs my plans and gives me a fresh perspective during those times I feel like giving up. No wonder this little four-letter word is so powerful.
I just need to keep it between me and God…for now.
How about you?
Did you choose a word for the year? Will you be sharing it? C’mon, I can keep a secret. 🙂
Wishing you blessings in 2018 and beyond,
Are you ready to step into 2018 full of purpose? Then join me here!
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And if you’re looking for more encouraging and inspiring content, check out these amazing sites where I link up my weekly posts.
I’m in between two words that are related, dream and Brave. I’m walking through open doors of opportunity with both of these words as encouragement and motivation.
My one word this year is Speak. Last year’s was Dwell/abide, and the year before was Listen.
I’ve explained what little the Lord has already revealed to me at my blog.
But you’re right, God will take it where He wants! We’d better fasten our seat belts and get ready for the ride!
I love what you’ve decided to do this year, Marva! Last year my word was “Believe” and just today I chose the word “Fearless” for this year 🙂
Hi Marva. Love this post. Keeping your word in a sacred place, safe with God, is sure to further an intimate relationship with Him. Hope He grows you in whatever your word may be this year. Thanks for stopping by Journey to Him!
I like this Marva, handing your word over. I chose a word and began focusing on it before 2017 ended. And now I think God is teaching me through that word, defining it differently than I have always thought was it’s meaning. I guess we’ll see. But I do want to keep open, and only root in what He wants me to rather than on pursuits just because I think it lines up on a word I chose! Always sparkly here! Thanks for bringing that sparkle to my day.
I get it. God’s already been dealing w/ me on mine. But somehow, making it out loud keeps me accountable. Which I need! have a wonderful day – how are things since the hurricanes?
I like the thought of quietly handing the word over into God’s capable hands and waiting…at least a bit.
Beautiful!
My word has always been WAY more than I could have ever imagined so much so that I almost did not choose a word this year – didn’t think I could handle it. Then He picked Giant Slayer for this year. All I could think was, “Really God??! Really? That’s what we are doing these days.” I almost fainted. But the reality is that, I can ignore the Word (or phrase) but that does notchange a thing – not one thing. So here we go – me and God. It appears as though He has a lot of work to do, and He’s invited me along for the ride.
Oh my, Brittany! I can completely understand why you nearly fainted. Lol. 🙂
I’m sitting at the edge of my seat looking to see what God has in mind for you this year. I look forward to supporting and encouraging you along the way! You Giant Slayer you. 🙂
A couple of years ago, I chose a different word each month. Wow, did God use them for lessons in my life! I love your idea of choosing a word and leaving it in God’s hands without adding your expectations. I chose the word – SEEK, this year. I just want to dig deep into His Word, seek His will, and follow where He leads. I’m sure there are plenty of lessons ahead! Hugs to you, my friend!!
Great thoughts here Marva!
Last year was the first time I chose a word and the lessons I learned were challenging. It was such a tough year, but in it all, I learned to lean more and more on God.
Thanks for including my word for this year in your list – I’m praying for that peace my friend.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Jennifer, I really enjoyed reading about your word for 2017 and all the hard things God brought you through — not because they were hard, but because God shone through. I imagine your year would not have been the same without that godly focus on simplicity. And now, here we are again, excited to see the peace and blessings He will bring. I’m excited to follow your journey, dear friend.
Blessings!
I do not have any single word of the year. But I was definitely given a verse from the Lord ” The battles belongs to the Lord” So I am praying I will let God handle all the battles I will face without me fretting over it.
I am glad you have surrender your word to the Lord. May He use you more for His Kingdom
Much love,
Diana
Yes, I remember looking to see what word you were gonna have, Diana. And I love your theme scripture. We know that our God has already won the battle and that must give you such sweet peace.
Hugs to you for the New Year!
I shared my #oneword2018, #surrender. Through the year, I hope to show how God shapes me as I #surrender to Him.
What a beautiful (and powerful!) word, Debbie. I love that your heart is to surrender to Him and I know He will bless that immensely.
Blessings to you!
Oh, yes… God always surprises me with the way He works through my #oneword each year! That’s why I’m shaking a little bit about mine, especially as I learn more about it! But you’re so right… There’s no better place to put my expectations than in His eternally capable hands. Now, you’ve got me guessing… four letters…. I can’t wait to see what it is!!!
Haha, Liz, I know right! I love your word and I can only expect good things to come from it, even it does have you shaking in your boots.
And as for my word, well, let’s see what God does with it and what He wants me to share (and when). He has me guessing too!
I hear you, my sister, I hear you! Sometimes we try to fit our ‘one word’ into a box and climb in there with it, but God… He loves working outside the box, doesn’t He? Praying overflowing blessings on your journey this year. Hugs and kisses🙂.
That’s exactly what I was doing: trying to fit my word (and me) in a neat little box. That never goes well! Now I know. 🙂
Thanks, Carlie, for getting the conversation started. Hugs!