One Word

I almost said yes to his request. Almost. Thankfully, I came to my senses just in time!

During the first couple days of January, my son asked if I would take him to the YMCA to sign up for a membership. We had been talking about doing this for a while, so I was about to jump in the car and get it done. Suddenly, the lightbulb turned on and I could envision the scene at the gym. The first week of January. The gym. Can you see it? Battles for the last parking spot. Lines of people trickling out the door. Eager crowds with shiny new sneakers, ready to make it happen in 2017!

Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not judging the “New Year’s Resolution makers.” I have been there myself more times than I care to report. And typically by now, the last week in January, my big plans have blown out the window; and I can scarcely remember the items on that urgent list of self-improvements.

For the past two years, my Bible study leaders have suggested another idea. An alternative to the traditional New Year’s Resolutions.

One word.

They challenged us to pick one word to motivate us for the entire year. One word that zeros in on where we are and where we would like to be. One word that challenges us to grow. One word to guide our actions and our attitudes. One word we can apply to every area of our life.

Just one word.

As I prayed about my word for this year, it became very clear that the single focus I need most is: Surrender. An interesting supplement to last year’s word, Courage. I’m hopeful that by marrying those two words, my soul will be covered with this great truth: “I can do it. But I can’t do it alone.”

The past few months have been a giant wake-up call for me in the area of surrendering to God. I am undeniably filled with excitement and gratitude as I continue to write and edit my book. But it hasn’t exactly been smooth and lovely, without any challenges. (Kind of like life:) I have stumbled through the process, figuring things out as I go, trying to keep my balance, growing and learning with each step… and each face-plant!

What I have realized most of all is that I am in constant need of God’s guidance and help. Constant need. Sounds like a good start to surrendering!

Surrendering is listening. Waiting patiently for answers. Aligning our desires with His. Replacing worry and anxiety with prayer and release. Emptying ourselves of anything we can’t change or control. And trusting. Trusting that God has a plan for us and He has already paved a way to carry it out.

My prayer, as I focus on the word surrender, is to become more dependent on God. The control freak in me doesn’t like the sound of that, but it is a guaranteed path to peace.

How about you? Does a word come to mind for your year? Can you identify one word that can be your home-base, a touchpoint every day?

Check out these ideas to help you get started:

Change. Simplicity. Trust. Discipline. Balance. Listen. Order. Enough. Intentional. Patience. Forgiveness. Priority. Focus. Give. Heal. Breathe. Finish. Renew. Create. Try. Thankful. Acceptance. Consistent. Quiet. Adventure. Joy. Confident. Grace. Action. Mindful. Bold. Attentive. Gentle. Sparkle. Prayer. Play. Express. Connection. Joy. Peace. Persistence. Love.

I’ve found this exercise to be incredibly fulfilling and clarifying. It takes the complexity of our lives and narrows it down to a central emphasis. It gives us the opportunity to ask ourselves just one question at the end of every day: “Have I been honoring my word today?”

If you choose to join me in this challenge, I would love to hear your words. Please share in the comments.

Have a great week!

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23