Every year since I was about 15 I’d make a list of new year’s resolutions. And every year since I was about 15 I’d break some, if not most, of those resolutions. I wasn’t the best at keeping them and that’s something that has followed me to this day.
Last year I decided to try something different.
I still made a few resolutions for personal and spiritual growth but I also chose a word for the year. It was a word that I’d keep tucked in my wallet and take out whenever I needed a reminder or encouragement. I didn’t choose this word. It flagged me down. It was a word that I kept hearing repeatedly for a couple of months preceding the new year. I would hear that specific word in conversation with a friend; I’d hear it while listening to a song on the radio; it would ring loud and clear in messages being preached; or was plastered all over that faithful highway billboard sign…with flashing red letters. It was magnified.
That word was surrender.
The Lord was definitely preparing me for 2013 because I found myself whispering that word under my breath on many occasions througout the year. Whenever I was faced with a situation that wouldn’t go my way…
Surrender.
Throwing an internal tantrum (with dialogue included…yeesh!) would have been ideal for me. It was my go-to solution before I would finally decide to get down on my knees and pray. The order of things needed to change.
Surrender.
That word was a constant reminder that, okay Lord, this…this?…is in your hands. That situation that I no longer had control over is in your hands. I’m surrendering this moment, this day, this year to you because it is in your hands.
My will, my wants, and my desires….surrendered. In doing that, it had brought such a peace within each situation I was faced with and gave Him control over my life. Less internal tantrums, more trusting in the Lord. Less of me, more of Him.
2014 was around the corner and it was time for a new word. The Lord had been graciously dealing with me on the size of my faith. My faith was strong at times but other times it was an obvious struggle to get it bigger than that mustard seed! So this year I decided that my word was going to be limitless.
I tend to think that what I see is all that is possible. It has to make complete, logical sense for me to even fathom it, right? The impossible? Well, if I can’t imagine it happening…it’s not possible of it even happening! That’s what I found myself basing my faith off of – my limits. It’s not until I stop to realize that I’m dealing with God, someone who is not confined by the limits we face. God isn’t confined to the beat up box that I’ve placed Him in.
You’re telling me He can do beyond my wildest dreams? And then some? Indeed.
So as I go through this year, my personal prayer is that God takes down the barb-wired fence that’s choking my thoughts, my dreams, and my desires, so that I can live in the abundance He has destined for me…for us…to walk in. Abundance in love for Him and others.
Abundance in my trust in Him.
Abundance in the confidence that I have in Him. And then some.
He is able to do exceedingly, above, and beyond all that I can ask or imagine to ask! (Ephesians 3:20)
Do you have a word that you’ve been carrying around with you for 2014?
I know we are almost a month in to the new year but it definitely isn’t too late. If you aren’t the resolution writing type (or even if you are!) have you thought of having a word for the year? Something that you can whisper to yourself as a reminder of who God is in your life? This is something you can determine during your quiet time with Him. Add a scripture or two to go along with your word! Write it down on a piece of paper and place it in strategic places around your house, in your car, or at your desk so that you’ll always be reminded.
What’s your word for 2014? If you don’t mind sharing, I’d love to hear!
– Nicole –
