My One Word 2018

I love a brand-spankin' new New Year that moseys out of the gate and gives me the opportunity to reflect on the past and look toward the future. For me, setting New Year’s resolutions fell by the wayside years ago. In 2000, I selected a focal verse for the year and have continued to choose one annually. In 2013, I jumped on the my-one-word bandwagon and now consolidate my chosen verse into one word for a more precise focus. 

My One Word 2018--PERSEVERE

Focal Verses: "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" Hebrews 12:1-3 (The Message)

My prayer for 2018 is that I’ll step into the purpose God calls me to and never quit. That I'll cut the fat (in more ways than one) and release everything that threatens or hinders my progress. That when I become weary I'll continue to put one foot in front of the other and not lose sight of my goal. That when my faith flags I'll pull myself up by my bootstraps and fix my eyes on Jesus--the one who blazed the trail before me and will continue to make a way where there seems to be none. I pray not only to finish strong this year but also in life as well, and that I’ll leave a godly legacy with my family, the people I meet, and the places I go. And finally, I pray when I cross the finish line accompanied by a great cloud of witnesses that I’ll reap the reward of my labor and above the applause I'll hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." And for that...

I’ll persevere.

Now it's your turn.  Please join me in my tradition and select a verse and a word for your life as well. If you already have, please encourage us all and share it here.

I always welcome your comments. 

Happy New Year!

Starr

Transformed

Prayerfully selecting a verse for the year and narrowing it down to one word has been my New Year's tradition since the year 2000. It's not only amazing to see the verse or word pop up throughout the year and the ways God speaks to me through it, it's remarkable to see the timing of its appearance. I'm always blown away.

Now it's your turn. If this isn't a tradition for you, I challenge you to make it one. It's never too late in the year to select a verse and/or word that is meaningful to you to see what God will do with it. Once you've made your selection, please share it here.

I always welcome your comments.

Happy New Year!

Starr

My One Word 2016 — SOAR

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,

and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
—Isaiah 40:31, KJV

In 1999, I replaced the practice of making New Year's resolutions with the prayerful selection of a scripture verse for the coming year. Each year, I'm amazed at how God repeatedly brings this verse to my attention and affirms and uses it to lead me through situations that arise.

Two years ago, I read My One Word written by Pastor Mike Ashcraft of Wilmington, NC. His book speaks of this same principle, only he takes the concept a step further and narrows the selection process down to one key word for the year. I now select my scripture and sum it up in one word. For added emphasis, I develop an acronym that underscores the reason I've selected the word. 

This year my focal verse is Isaiah 40:31. My one word is SOAR. Its acronym defines my focus and reveals the pathway to my success.

Surrender
Of
All
Repeatedly

My desire in 2016 is to rely on the power and strength of God to enable me to soar above the circumstances and distractions of life and accomplish all that he envisions for me. If I neglect to surrender my will to God's will daily, I'll undergo numerous false starts and stops and will fail to experience life from his vantage point.

Now it's your turn. Please join me in the selection of a scripture focus and one word for 2016.

I always welcome your comments. I'd love to know what you've selected. Please share it in the comment section below.

Happy New Year! I hope you soar.
Starr