It’s only a few days until the end of the year, and I don’t
have my One Word for 2016 yet. I’ve been thinking about it, and I’ve kind of
asked God about it, but I’m not quite ready to move on from this year’s word—Renew.
Renew felt hopeful…full of possibilities. All year, it’s
been my focus and I’ve been looking for ways in which God has brought about
renewal in my life. Renew is a positive, uplifting word. Last year, God gave me
Let Go for the year, so you can see why Renew was a breath of fresh air.
I’ve been wrestling with keeping Renew for another year or
moving on. But I wonder if that’s like trying to put parameters around God’s
work.
For the past four years, I’ve had a one word focus, and I’ve
trusted God to identify that focus for me. So, clinging to Renew might not be
the best idea. Maybe He has a better word in mind for me for the upcoming year,
and if I don’t move forward, I’ll miss what He has planned.
And then I realized…it doesn’t matter. God will continue to
bring about renewal, just as He always has. I just need to keep looking for it.
A One Word focus is for my benefit, not God’s. He is not
bound by one word, or even two. He doesn’t need something to keep Him focused,
but He knows I do.
I need the reminder that God is at work, no matter what I
can see and not see.
God builds on what He teaches us, and there is always more
to learn.
I am still learning to trust
Him (One Word 2012), praise Him
(2013), to let go of my will for His
(2014), and to wait while He renews.
God is always at work. Always teaching. Refining me.
Bringing me closer to Him.
I must continue to learn from Him. Listen for Him. And seek
Him. Every. Single. Day.
I don’t know what my focus will be for next year, but I know
there will be more lessons to learn.
…and that’s a good thing.
What’s been your One
Word for 2015? Are you ready to move on to a new word for 2016?
Great post! I particularly like your point about the One Word being for us and not God. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI also "do" the one word for the year. And, I, too liked that you said that the word is a reminder for us, not God! But this year, I prayed instead for a verse for the year. A verse that I could cling to. A verse that the Lord wanted to "work out" in my life. And, I didn't get just one verse, the Lord gave me THREE verses!! WOW, guess I need a lot of growth in my life!!!!
ReplyDeleteLaura, I love what you had to say about how God is not limited by words! That being said, I also love how He brings a *word* to my heart (and others) to focus us. In 2014, my word was JOY, last year it was HEALING. Both wonderful words, and words that I think are continuing to teach me and reach me. This year feels like a continuation of the story, as God has brought the word GRATEFUL to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat brings more joy than seeing His blessings?!
What can be more healing than learning how to be grateful for them?!
Happy New Year, and GOD BLESS!
I love this!!! I was drawn to your blog from Coffee for your Heart because of your title. I love too that you've kept track of what God has been doing. Last year God told me to write. It seemed not long after, obstacle after obstacle popped up but now almost exactly a year later, after learning some lessons, the word write is still there and I have realized you have to make time; obedience is important. I can see now that writing is a way God can heal my heart,..He seems to speak in our love language, and I am a lover of words. I am thankful He is patient with me and is giving me another chance to do what He originally recommended!
ReplyDelete