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For several years now I’ve been choosing one word that would sort of define the direction I hope to take in the coming year.
Last year my word was “haven.” The year before that it was “love.”
This year I was sensing a need for something more meaningful. It’s not that those words or the hopes connected with them weren’t meaningful, but I wanted something…more. I wanted to find a way to define all that I hope to do and be in 2016.
I could focus on love, grace, hope, rest, joy, peace, or faith. Any and all of those words encourage and motivate me. But still, I wanted more.
Rather than a word, I’m looking for a relationship.
Rather than a hopeful or encouraging thought, I want radical change.
I want to go to the Source of all that is good and true and lovely.
I want Jesus.
My “word for the year” is actually a name. The name of Jesus.
In picking Jesus as my “word” and focus for the year, I hope that I will gain joy, peace, rest, love, hope, faith, grace, and so much more. I want to truly know Him. He is my Savior, and He is everything to me. I want to get closer to Him and put Him first above all else.
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” ~Hebrews 12:2
“The greatest impact we can ever have on the world is by loving Jesus so much that His love transforms us and the way we treat others.”
I also chose a song for the year. A song that will inspire me and draw me closer to my purpose and intent for 2016. I am in love with this song which is called To Be Like You. Watch the video here.
Here are the lyrics so you can see just how worthy this song is to be chosen for my song of the year!
VERSE
Humble King
Holy One
Friend of sinners
God’s own Son
God in flesh
Among men
You walked my road
You understand
Humble King
Holy One
Friend of sinners
God’s own Son
God in flesh
Among men
You walked my road
You understand
VERSE
Servant King
Friend to me
You saved my soul
Washed my feet
Here I’ll bow
Give all to You
Lord I want
To be like You
CHORUS
All I want
All I need
More of You
Less of me
Take this life
Lord it’s Yours
Have my heart
Have it all
VERSE
I will walk
In Your ways
Love Your word
Seek Your face
My reward
My sole pursuit
To know You more
To be like You
BRIDGE
Jesus Jesus
All I want is to be like You
But seriously, go listen to the song. It’s so incredibly beautiful! It inspires me greatly.
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” ~Philippians 2: 5-11
Tomorrow I hope to be back with my 2016 Goals.
Have you ever chosen a word for the year? Did you choose one this year?
Great choice! and I like the song too. I chose the word fruitful, yet I know that I cannot be fruitful without Jesus.
Fruitful is a great word for the year—I love that one!
Love your word! I so want to do the same! When Jesus comes first, everything else falls into the right place! Thanks for sharing!
I agree—when Jesus is first, everything else falls into place! Thanks for stopping by, Rebekah!
I have never choosen a word , but I should be happy to choose "trust" for this year .
Dear Joy , Happy New Year to you all !
Franca
Trust is a wonderful choice. Happy New Year to you, Franca!
LOVE IT! Oh that we'd have more of HIM 🙂
Yes! More of Him is my prayer!