My one word for this year came to me a couple of weeks ago out of the blue. I don’t remember what I was doing or thinking, but I do remember all of a sudden realizing, “That is my word for the year.” It’s been rolling around in my heart and mind since that time, but I’m still not really sure “what, why, how, etc.” The more I think about it, the more I don’t understand it. And maybe that’s the point. Maybe I’m not supposed to let it roll around, considering what and how and why. Maybe I’m supposed to spend more time with God so He can reveal the what, how and why as the year progresses. My one word for 2016 is GIVE.
The last couple of years, I have found scripture verses that correspond to my one word. I have even found a song or songs that relate to my word. This year, almost as soon as I had the inspiration that my word for the year was to be GIVE, I also knew the song…and at first glance, at least to me, it has nothing to do with GIVE. But the more I listen to it, the more I think I start to get it. “I Shall Not Want” by Audrey Assad.
This song is my one word, but I haven’t quite figured out how. And that is really bugging me. All I know is the phrase, “And I shall not want, when I taste Your goodness, I shall not want” is burrowing itself into my heart. To me, this song is me asking God to deliver me from: the love of my own comfort, the fear of having nothing, a life of wordly passions, from the need to be understood, from the need to be accepted, from the fear of being lonely, from the fear of serving others, from the fear of death or trial, from the fear of humility. So I’m asking God to GIVE me these graces. But I think in return, He’s asking for my trust in those areas.
And not only am I having trouble understanding the word and the song, how about this scripture verse for GIVE, Luke 6:38, “give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” I get the whole, “give and it will be given to you…the measure you give will be the measure you get back…” it’s the “pressed down, shaken together, running over, put into your lap…” that I don’t get. At first, it sounds like something I don’t even want…GIVE me Lord the graces necessary because “pressed down” does not sound like a good thing; neither does shaken together. And any mom will testify the words, “running over” can not be a good thing…or is it? The Message Bible translates Luke 6:38 this way, “Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
So what if I have it wrong, not surprising. What if “pressed down”means “to make more room for?” And then what if “running over” means I have so much given to me it’s running over?
So clicking around different places trying to understand this verse, I came across this, “The rewards of Christian giving are (a) joy 2 Corinthians 8:2 (b) increased ability to give in proportion to that which has been already given 2 Corinthians 9:7-11 (c) increased thankfulness to God 2 Corinthians 9:12(d) God and the Gospel glorified 2 Corinthians 9:13 2 Corinthians 9:14” In addition to sitting quietly with God asking His guidance in this verse and my word for the year, this looks like a good place to start with some additional scriptures for meditation.
So there are all my wanderings, ramblings and rolling thoughts on my one word for the year, GIVE. Don’t you just love it when I give a small peek into the inner workings of my mind before I put it on here all neatly packaged? Totally rhetorical question.
Do you have a word for the year? If so, share it in the comments and what it means to you or you think it may mean to you in the coming year.
I’m printing this and taping it to my bathroom mirror!
Katie says
My word for the year is “Grace”….the abundance of blessings when I least expect it, and the many blessings I wish and pray for others. My concordance states, “This gift is like the created reflection of the divine benevolence or grace, that which God’s love produces in us.”
Jenny says
Beautiful. I love the word grace. A funny story. Last year when my children seemed to be bickering a lot, I found myself repeating over and again, “Grant each other grace.” My grandma’s name is Grace so my husband turned it into, “Grant each other grandma.” They would laugh and laugh…and stop bickering.
Robbie Baker says
My word came to me in the hustle and bustle of holidays, losing my mother, and other major crises – all at once. “Nestle.” I want to nestle my head into the crook of my Savior’s neck, holding on tight! Letting Him whisper words of love and protection. Just resting in His arms and letting Him take care of life’s problems. Keep nestling closer and closer to His Heart.
Jenny says
Oh I love the imagery. I love words, so I looked up “nestle” in a Thesaurus…bundle, burrow, cuddle, huddle, nuzzle, snug, snuggle, lie against, lie close, make snug, move close, settle down, take shelter. I especially love “take shelter.” Reading the synonyms made me think of a song I listened to over and over last year when we were all sick and my husband was traveling, Come to Me by Jamie Grace ,the chorus is, “Come to me when
You’re weary and
I’ll give you hope when you’re hurting
I’ll give you rest from your burden
Come to me when
You’re weary and
I’ll give you hope when you’re hurting
I’ll give you rest from your burden now”
Michelle says
That song is so beautiful. My word of the year is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. That started out as a joke, but when I googled it, it said: extraordinarily good; wonderful. And that is just what God has been for me this year.
Jenny says
Hahaha! That is awesome my friend! I just read your comment to Bernadette and she said that is her word for the year!
Mary says
My word is Patience. I need to work on my patience and I believe God was telling me something.
Jenny says
Be ready! He will answer that prayer my friend!
Lux G. says
And for that I believe you will receive more.
Happy 2016!
Jenny says
Oh thank you Lux 🙂
Kristi says
My word for the year is JOY. I want to CHOOSE JOY in my everyday life and in ALL circumstances.
Jenny says
A couple of years ago when I started naming my year, I chose JOY!
Renee says
I never thought of having a word of the year but I love how your word and direction biblically have come together. You’ll have to update us on how your word has carried you through the year! As I was reading and thinking what my word of the year would be…and LOVE popped in…then endless. ENDLESS LOVE. I’M TOTALLY JOURNALING THIS…
Jenny says
I love it! Endless love. What Bible verses are there? I immediately thought of Psalm 139 where the Psalmist mention no matter where he goes, God is there.
susan backhaus says
Amen! Give sounds perfect for you. I’m still narrowing down my list of words and praying that God lift the word he wants for me this year to the top.
Jenny says
Yes, it is a sifting isn’t? Have you decided your word yet?
susan backhaus says
No, I am leading a women’s bible study and we use the My One Word Book and videos each Jan to guide us in choosing a new word.(we have done this since 2012). We just finished our last study today(been walking through Exodus since May…WOW) I will dive in wholeheartedly now by reading the first four chapters, and meditating on my list of words this week.
Reading your story on give inspired me to write a reflection on my word from last year, SEEK. I am praising God for guiding me to your blog!
THANKS! Susan
Jenny says
Have a blessed day!