Word of God vs Word of the Year

In recent years it’s become trendy to assume a word that you will use to focus on during the coming year.  A modified New Year’s Resolution, if you will. 

Choose the word travel…and then plan more trips, read travel books, and travel more.

Adopt the word grace…and then practice extending grace to yourself and others.

Pick the word change…and then make the changes in your life you are striving towards.

It’s not a trend I’ve followed for myself, although I have seen it work well for some of my friends.  Those who know me best, know that I’m very goal oriented and find great joy in accomplishing new adventures.  So frankly…I struggle with selecting just one word for the New Year.  I want masses of words that I can form together for tangible accomplishments. 

Except now I find myself praying about making an exception.  In the next year, I want to focus on the word “Word.”  As in God’s Word.  I want to really concentrate on daily Bible Study, on memorization techniques, and on having His Word dwell in my heart.

Psalm 119:9-16 tells us that keeping God close to our hearts, spirit, and mind requires keeping our eyes on Jesus so that we can dwell in the presence of the Lord.  In order to keep those eyes focused on the goal, I need to be in the Word. 

What are the benefits of being in God’s Word?

–Strengthened walk with Jesus

–Forgiveness for sin & actively seeking to repent

–Guarding against the enemy

–Understanding of context and God’s intent

–Sustainment against the stress of life

That’s a lot of words and it’s not even a dent in the reasons why we should want to be more fervently studying the Bible.  Even now, as I attempt to focus on one word…”Word”…I’m unable. I start finding all the words that support being more active in the Word.   

I’m back at square one.  Not picking a singular word for the year, but rather praying that I can focus on the Word. 

Whether you pick one word or draft a lengthy goal, my prayer for you, sweet reader, is that you will find the study of the Bible included in the next year.

Happy New Year!

~Emily