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My Word for the Year

The week after Christmas is a great time to pack away the memories and prepare for the new year.

As I unwind from the flurry of holiday activities, I reflect on the previous twelve months. God brings to mind the opportunities and challenges that brought growth, creating a heart of gratitude for all that has happened. This evaluation helps me see my strengths and passions and also my shortcomings. Instead of creating New Year’s resolutions, I choose a word and Bible verse which will guide me. As I look ahead to the new year, I pray about selecting a word that will help keep me on track toward goals.

I asked myself some questions to envision the next year as I consider future projects and how I would like to grow in faith. As I wrote down my thoughts, the word started to become clear. Of all the words I wrote on the page, one word surfaced above the rest.

DEEPER.

On our recent vacation in Florida, we walked on the beach although the air was chilly and breezy. The waves rode into the shore and receded with a constant rhythm.

Deeper

It’s easy to stay shallow and comfortable with what you know about faith.

This year I’m being nudged to go deeper.

It might mean stepping out of my comfort zone. Digging deeper in the soil takes effort and time. Diving deeper in water happens quickly. Either way, my heart is ready to go deeper with what the Lord has in mind.

It is time o deeper into the love of God and deeper into the grace impact. Deeper into the Word and prayer.

How will this happen?

  • By intentionally reminding myself of God’s deep love for me as his child. Currently I’m reading Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning.
  • Through committing to a daily Bible reading plan for the year.
  • Through leading a study of The Grace Impact in my church, understanding more of His grace.

In searching for a verse, I looked up several words on Biblegateway.com.

This verse resonated in my spirit with the word “depth.”

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 NIV

It is my prayer to guide me throughout the new year and grow deeper in faith.

What word will guide you in the next year?

 

 

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  1. What a great — and challenging — word for the year, Nancy. The one God led me to is trust. I’m not sure of all he has in mind, but we’ll see as the year goes on. Have a blessed 2017!

  2. What a great — and challenging — word for the year, Nancy. The one God led me to is trust. I’m not sure of all he has in mind, but we’ll see as the year goes on. Have a blessed 2017!