With every day that dawns the opportunity to embrace and appreciate the start of something new is offered to us. Yet there is something about crossing over into a brand new year that points the hearts and minds of individuals to dreaming and believing in the possibilities. Yeah it’s the season we dust off our exercise gear, pull out our resolutions to do better and be better all because the old stuff of last season is behind us and this year we don’t have to be plagued by last year’s reality. This year the possibilities for something new exists.
Yet we all know what can happen when we get down in the thick of things come mid year. Like everyone else I’m hopeful this time of year but I also find myself cautious and contemplating about how to keep the momentum and motivation that comes along with the turn of a new year. You see there are some things that has been playing on repeat year after year and I need that cycle to change for real.
One of things I came to discover through blogland is that many people often adopt one-word for the year. As I was driving home one afternoon I was thinking about this practice. I have never done it before and had no intention of doing it either but no sooner than the thought of it not being my type of thing the oddest word was impressed in my thoughts.
What’s the word you ask? You did ask didn’t you?
P R E S S
Yes, I know “press”. So not a word I would have picked for myself especially for my first time choosing a one word focus.
Did your mind immediately switch to negative mode like mind did when you heard it? Negative-ville is exactly where I visited when I heard “press”. The word makes me think of hard or difficult. That’s not the thoughts I want to welcome in the new year. I didn’t find it particularly inspiring at first glance.
So I did a little further investigation of my word by looking up the definition and Bible passages that contain the word. These are the ones that stood out.
to act upon through steady pushing or thrusting force exerted in contact, to follow through (a course of action)
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14
I want to have steady steps that complete courses of actions.
So here’s to discovering what 2015 has in store as more of this word unfolds in my life.
How about you did you select a word or did a word find you this year?
II have been hearing about people choosing one word for the year for quite some time, but like you, I never felt inclined to try it. Excited to see what this practice brings to you thisyear, Wanda. I pray it is a year of blessings, “pressed” down, shaken together, running over! (Luke 6:38)
Oh Pam thank you so much given me that passage of scripture. Some how I hadn’t come across that one when I looked up passages the other day. I’m still trying to get my mind past the thought of it possibly being a “hard” year.
Wanda, I think you’ll find that a *one word* focus from the Lord brings many new revelations, new depths of meaning. Last year, He impressed upon my heart the word JOY. And then, two weeks into January, my father passed away. I really had doubts about what God was up to. But, of course, over the weeks as the year unfolded, I was taught the true meaning – for me, JOY was all about Jesus, Only You!
Press is a good word. Inspiring and challenging. I can’t wait to see how God works this into your journey in 2015!
GOD BLESS!
(My word for 2015 is HEALING. Already learning so much…)
Within days of me getting the word of press I received little confirmations popping up for that indeed it’s a perfect word for this season. Yet it is also one that scares me a bit. I do recall you sharing about how you learned so much about joy has journey along last year. I look forward to reading about how you came about picking your word this year.
I think mine would be RISK. I need to take some, before I rot here.
I so get that Elizabeth because I’m not a risk taker by nature. I like living in the safe zone. But as you know the safety zone can be bit overrated and oh-so-boring at times. Here’s to to you for taking courageous steps this year my dear. We will never know what lies on the other side unless we do it. Happy New Year!
Oh I love this! I think it’s perfect for you. Pressing onward towards the goal with a steady and sure footing. Blessings!
Hi Wanda! At first I just wasn’t so sure where you were going with ‘press’. I get it now, and it’s a wonderful word. Very singular, very interesting! Leave it to you to make your word a true original. Can’t wait to see how you ‘press on’ in the new year!
Blessings,
Ceil
Ha, I do understand Ceil. It’s not an activity I would have chosen and certainly not a word of would of pick either but I’ll see how it infiltrates my year.
Happy New Year, Wanda! Press on! The word, deliverance, has been a focus of mine. At the beginning of the year, as I was reading through Esther, Mordecai’s words to Esther (Esther 4) after he alerted her to the deadly plot brewing, struck me differently this time. He told her that deliverance was coming, one way or the other. She could do nothing in an attempt to save herself because she was afraid, or she could decide to have faith in God and let His deliverance come through her. Sometimes we are afraid because we don’t see how “we” can deliver ourselves, and the truth is that we can’t. We don’t have a way out, but God does. We don’t see a way of escape, but God does. Esther had a past that was closing in on her, even if she was now queen. Her title could not save her. He money could not save her. Her freedom, her life, was slipping away. Many of us feel closed in by our past even as we have entered new seasons in life. I believe that this year is the time to remember the God who delivers. The road before us may look like a maze, but God has a plan and that plan will prevail, and God may very well use us as He brings about victory for many.
Wow LaVonne, that’s some good insight. You make want to pull out my Bible and read though Esther again.
Wanda, I chose a word (or rather God gave me a word) through a Bible study on faith I am doing right now. The word is “expectant” for I want to be waiting with expectancy for God in all I am and all I do. I want to be alert and ready for God at every corner of life.
Right around the first of the year I wrote a post on this: http://beingwoven.org/2015/01/01/expectant-one-word-for-2015/
Thanks for being here.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Oh I like your choice of word Linda. And I look forward to reading more about how you came about selecting it. I love the idea of not just passing time but filling it with expectant hope.
blessings….
its a good word
meaning is clear,
keep on keeping on regardless.
sure there are fancier words but why bother when this one will do just nicely, gets the point across.
God knows best and he didn’t let me do the choosing any way. He knew I’d be tempted to go for something with a bit more sparkle 🙂
I love your word for the new year! Just reading this as I’ve taken a bit of a blogging break this month! Mine is Peace. May you continue to press on and into what God would have you move toward in 2015!
I understand Amy. I have been taking a bit of a break as well it seems. Still trying to figure out a direction as press forward in this year. Peace is a great word to have has a focal point for the year. May it permeate your all your being and doing.