Some people have difficulty choosing their word for the year. Some people have a moment of inspiration. It seems the more time you meditate and center in on what God is speaking to you, the easier it is to hear what He says.
When you ask God to speak one word over your life, be prepared for Him to make a mighty change—sometimes that process begins before the calendar declares a new year.
My first year, the word was “trust”. I felt that I did not trust God fully, though my mind wanted to trust Him. By the end of the year, the transformation happened, and I do trust Him! This second year, my word has been “joy”, but He has been teaching me about grace. It’s amazing. Really. I can’t stop writing about it!
For 2016, the word He’s leading me to and through? “Humble”.
This is not a fun word to be led through. And the process began much earlier than I thought it would. Still, He is speaking and is gentle in His teaching, and it’s necessary for where He wants to use me next.
Without a posture of humility, God simply will not be able to use me to glorify Him. I will still be enticed by my own opportunity for glory. Often I hear about our lives compared to a paper cup, filled with God’s glory or His living water. We cannot take credit for what is within us, but we can be used to pour out life.
I’m thankful to be used by God, and I want to be usable. This means I need to let Him be God, and I need to choose to let that role be filled by Him and not myself. How about you? As the year winds to a close, are you looking and listening for your “word” for the year??
“For no word from God shall be void of power.” Luke 1:37 (American Standard Version)
Start praying. Start listening. What word from God will bring His power and His glory into your life in a new way? How will He reveal Himself in you and through you just by your decision to choose “One Word”??