This is my third year of focusing on one word, and, I'll be honest, this year's took longer to come to me than the previous years', which were Trust and Dream. Maybe it was the house full of family; maybe I wasn't ready for my word. Who knows?
Three weeks ago I prayed for God to lead me to my word. Saturday, I grabbed my journal, my Bible, and my tiny book of passages. After thumbing through keywords, I jotted a handful down and read through the related passages. Then I read a few of my favorite chapters in the Bible. With my trusty purple pen, I wrote several passages in my journal. A theme arose.
I'm serious about my one word, so I bundled up and went to a nearby park. When I'm outside in nature I hear the Spirit without interruption. I crunched through the snow, wrapped my scarf tightly, and paused near a grouping of bird feeders. And I knew without doubt what my word for 2014 would be.
Peace.
Phillipians 4:6-7 (NIV)
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
This season of my life has brought a lot of unexpected stress. I bring some of it on myself by worrying about silly things. But the bottom line is that I've had to completely surrender to God the last two years, and it's scary. It's still scary!
I've seen so many of my prayers answered, but the big ones (and we all have big prayers, big dreams) have been on hold. When I've wanted to take matters in my own hands (get a part-time job, change the direction of my writing, fix my kids' problems...), I've deep-down known it was not God's will for me. So I'm sitting. Waiting. Writing. Praying. Trusting. Surrendering.
Sure, I could focus on "Miracles" or something about my personal goals, but God has something better for me. Peace in the midst of chaos. Peace in a long, long season of waiting. Peace in my relationships. Peace in our finances. Peace in my own shortcomings.
Instead of focusing on what I don't have or what I want, I can tell God what I need and thank him for all he has done. The thanking part is so important. It's easy to fixate on what I want or what's going wrong. But isn't it wonderful when we remember all we have? When we add up all the miracles already granted? God is such a good God!
I'm excited for 2014. No matter what happens, I know peace is just a prayer away.
What are you focusing on this year?
Have a peace-filled Monday!
Peace is a great word and something we all need so much. Praying it saturates both our lives! Here's to a great new year!
ReplyDeleteYes! We do need it! I hope you have a wonderful year, Jess!
DeleteWonderful word Jill. May it bless you richly beyond all you'd hoped.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. What a beautiful thing to say! May you be blessed too!
DeleteWhat a terrific reflection, Jill! It's always hard to know if you're on the right path, and all-too-easy to let the doubts and disappointments take over. I feel ya, hunny! Take care, and thanks for the perspective!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Kathy. It's all too easy for me to let doubt in, that's for sure! You take care too. :)
DeleteGreat word and verse. I love reading how God is speaking to others.
ReplyDeleteI've been choosing a verse for almost 20 years, but just added choosing a word a couple of years ago. My word this year is definition. I've fallen into the trap of being defined by others' expectations and God reminded me that He wanted to be the one to define me. My verse is Psalm 37:23-24. Blessings on your new year!
I love the way you put that--"He wanted to be the one to define me." If we could just hold on to that and remember it every day! I'm writing down your verses--thank you for sharing! Blessings to you!!
DeleteI love that you chose this word. If I were going to choose one too I might have to copy. Your verse is one of my favorites and brings me peace reading it. May this be the year of fulfilled dreams for you!
ReplyDeleteYes, Terri, the verse brings calm no matter what's going on in my life. I'm excited to see your fulfilled dreams this year too--new house, published book--woo-hoo--go you!!
DeleteHope your 2014 is full of peace, Jill! This is a reflection and approach that I need to adopt, myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not alone, Elizabeth! (Although it would be nicer of me to wish I was the only one struggling with doubts and fears.) Wishing you a blessed new year!!
DeletePeace to you, my friend! (And I can identify with waiting for our dreams...) It will come to pass. Not our timing, but His. So hard, but so worth the wait!
ReplyDelete(Hugs)
Yes, His timing is always perfect! Hugs back to you--I miss you!!
DeleteI had a very cool experience with that verse in Philippians in late December. Something I was INCREDIBLY anxious about was just completely weighing me down. But one morning as I was waiting to speak in front of some women, I glanced down and happened to see that verse on a bookmark. And I had this incredible moment of letting go...got up to speak and it was the perfect verse for what I was speaking about, too. About ten minutes after I was done speaking, I got a phone call...and that thing I'd been anxious about, well, let's just say, HUGE answer to prayer.
ReplyDeleteSorry that was off-topic but seeing you mention that verse got me excited all over again. Hope you have a fabulous 2014. Love your word!
I understand!! I had moments like that last year too, and I prayed for peace, and BOOM--God came through. I'm so happy the weight was lifted for you!
DeleteWhat a great word to focus on this year, friend! My one word is LEAN -- as in lean on his understanding, not my own, and lean into Him when I feel like worrying. :) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteOooh, nice! I could use that word too! Plus, I could use Lean as in tighten up! Ha!
DeleteMy word is composure. I can't control a lot of what happens, but I can control how I respond.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a great 2014, Jill!
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/
So true and a great reminder, Andrew. I hear you on this!
DeleteJill, I appreciate your transparency here. PEACE. What a great word.
ReplyDeleteMy word is ENOUGH. I believe God has some things for me to learn about various aspects of this word. Oftentimes, it relates to my identity. How often I feel like I'm not enough for others. Their expectations. I fear I disappoint. I believe God is going to help me grow in being comfortable with the callings He's placed on my life. And helping me to remember He is always enough for me. :)
Jeanne, I hope you know what a light you are to others. You might not feel enough, but you ARE. I feel so blessed to know you. You're up for the task!!
DeleteA great verse and a wonderful word. Thanks for sharing. Stay warm and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Heidi! The staying warm part is hard--we're having -6 temps!!
DeleteAvery interesting word for the new year. I chose HOPE, It was in the titel of book I read for review, "Let Hope In"by Pete Wilson.(Review will post tomorrow, Jan.7 on my blog)
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I love the word Hope!
DeleteLoving your word! Peace is something to claim daily. Praying your year overflows with it!!
ReplyDeleteSo true, Susan! Thank you!
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