I’ve already shared with you why I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions and I’ve also shared why I don’t look back on the previous year, so today I thought I’d share with you the goals I do pursue when a new year comes around.

I press on to become more like Jesus Christ and to lift His name on high.

But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  Phil. 3:12

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  Phil. 3:14

Sometimes God will ask me to become more like Him by how He wants me to be respectful and submissive to my husband.

Or how I raise and teach my children.

Maybe it’s through ministry.

Or it’s simply how I go through the trials of life and Who I put my hope in when my world seems like it’s falling apart.

Of course I’ll fall short in these pursuits but that’s what God’s grace is for.   But regardless of how many times I fall, I’ll continue to reach for the prize until the day I die.

That is my goal for this year.

But perhaps you’re wanting a few more specifics on how to focus and bring purpose to your new year?

I like the concept of choosing just one word for my year.  To me, this premise hones in on 3 very important aspects.

1.  Clarity

It brings clarity to your life and keeps you somewhat grounded and focused.

2.  Grace

At the same time, the choosing of just one word allows a bit of graciousness to the fallen, imperfect human beings that we are.

3.  God’s Leading

The Lord can move freely with His plans for our lives as we follow Him.  That part is key.  He’s the Shepherd and we’re His sheep!  He leads, we follow.

So here’s my word…

Worship.

The Lord spoke that word into my heart yesterday morning while in church.  I had been praying for His word.  His guidance.  His wisdom of what I needed for this coming year.  And He whispered it to me right in the middle of our worship service. 🙂  But the word, Worship, doesn’t just mean singing songs of praise to our Savior.  No, it goes much deeper than that, however, I didn’t realize it until my Father continued to speak His words into my heart.

“Daughter, will you worship Me?  Or are you going to worship yourself?”

“Will I be on the Throne of your life or will you be on the throne?”

“Daughter, when the pain and trials come, will you worship Me?  Or will you run to your pit?”

“When I ask you to do hard things, because I will, will you worship Me?  Or will you justify why you can’t and why you’re afraid, and therefore, you’ll make the decisions not to?”

“Will you worship Me in the mundane?  Or will you worship yourself and grumble and complain?”

“Will you worship Me when I ask you to love others and die to yourself?  Or will you worship yourself?”

The word Worship took on a whole new meaning after I heard the Lord speaking those words to me.

“Daughter, do you know what I’m asking of you?”

“Yes, Lord, I do.  And yes, Lord, I will worship you.”

With outstretched arms and on my knees, I’ll lift my eyes up to my Maker and worship Him.

When you truly worship Someone, you’ll submit and surrender your will to Him. There’s a deep act of obedience in the concept of Worship.  Couple that with praising Him through the sorrows, fears, failures, and tears of one’s life and the focus will be kept on Christ, rather than self when life becomes difficult in the coming year.  And those flickering moments of when life is relatively easy, worshiping the King will be a piece of cake! He’ll receive the glory through the ups and downs of our lives, not just when we’re living on easy street.

Here are some One Word ideas for you especially if you’re struggling in certain areas.  I’ve included some Scriptures to help you if you want to memorize them.

• Hope

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.  Jer. 17:7

• Faith

For we walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Cor. 5:7

• Trust

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  Prov. 3:5,6

• Courage

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you.”  Deut. 31:6

• Love

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  John 15:12

• Forgiveness

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”  Matt. 11:25,26

And when my life gets hard this coming year, I’ll cling to these verses to remind me to Worship my God:

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.  For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.  Today, if you will hear His voice:  “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, when your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work.  For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.’  Psalms 95:6-10

Now it’s your turn.  Do you have one word that you’d like to embrace for this coming year?  Or perhaps another way that you focus on Christ?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!  Share in the comments below.

Live a poured out life for Christ,

Jolene Engle

 

Need some encouragement and guidance in your marriage?  Grab my latest book, Wives of the Bible:  25 Easy Lessons You Can Learn from these Imperfect Women that Will Radically Transform Your Marriage.