Find Your Word of the Year
The phenomenon of “A Word of the Year” captures many people as they end one year and look into the next. One might say it is a modern New Year’s resolution. Others would say it is a way to focus, to provide direction, motivation, and even transformation into a new year. I would encourage you to see it as an opportunity to engage with God and use it as a spiritual practice.
As I have had a word of the year in the past years, I want to offer one way to find your word for the year.
Finding your word
- Start early.
- Pray and pay attention.
- Find your leading Scripture(s).
- Allow for incubation.
- Repeat steps 2&3.
- Ask God to help you commit to deepening this word and his Word from Scripture.
- Write down the word and Scriptures in places you will be reminded.
- Do this with a couple of friends and check in on one another throughout the year.
What this looks like:
Start before January 1: This is the perfect time for reflection, slowing down, and talking to God. It is a natural part of the year to do this, so run with it!
Pray and Pay Attention: Take your search to God in prayer. Do this by reflecting on the past year, thanking him for the year, and asking him for what he wants looking forward to the following year. Consider words or Scripture that have been on repeat lately. Write these ideas down. Search the Scriptures for where this word comes up. Pay attention to what is going on inside you as you are searching and ask the Holy Spirit to impress on you your word for the year.
Allow for incubation: your word might now come to you in one sitting and that is okay. Actually, that might be good. Give some time and space for the idea and the Holy Spirit to work.
Repeat steps 2&3:
Just this morning I was reflecting on 2018 and asking God to show me what he has been stirring in me. As options I wrote the words: love, lean in, follow, imitate. These words led me to 1 John. And then I kept thinking about the things holding me back, my sin, distractions, weights. I then thought of Hebrews 12 and those I need to run the race with me. I set my journal and bible down and picked up a storybook I was reading. I needed a little break. So, as I was reading, very suddenly, I sensed the word “believe” come up. I wrote it down. I am not sure whether this is the word or not for me, but I also want to take it to the Lord in prayer. God, is this what you want me to focus on? I am still in prayer about it, and still need to find the Scripture(s) but likely this is where I am going.
Also, I would encourage you to not try and figure out why God has given you a word. Simply listen and follow.
Commit and Remember: In prayer, ask God to settle the word in your mind and heart and to commit to the Scripture(s) he has shown you. Write down the word and Scripture(s) in places you will be easily reminded of them.
With Others: Lastly, consider doing this with friends. This good peer pressure leads to opportunities to share stories, struggles, and step deeper into what God is calling you to this year.
I am currently incubating and look forward to the word God has for me. Is there a word you are considering?
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