In 2010, I took up challenge so to speak to pick a one word focus for the year. I chose the word COURAGE. It became more than just a mantra or resolution. It was a focus word that reminded me to trust God for the very courage I needed to take another breath and another step.
Often combined with this was Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with with you wherever you go."
In day after day, I found myself walking in courage that God provided through obstacles of pain and fear that would have left me paralyzed in the past. I couldn't just muster up the courage, it had to come from Him, because even as I did things, fear would press in hard. In obedience and trust I found freedom and joy.
So this year, I'm joining others again to pick a one word focus for 2011.
As I have interacted with God especially in the last two months after landing in South Korea, a couple of words have come to mind over and over again. They are pointing out how I limit and deny God's love and affection for me. I so easily accept words of rejection and self-hatred and deny the love of God that would drive away the very darkness I hate, but has been there so long that it is scary to let go of.
Because what I believe about God and what He thinks about me impacts everything I do, I need to let this be my focus. To let God speak over and over again His love until it breaks into my heart, and drives away the lies of the enemy that keep me from obeying the first two commandments: To love God with all of my being, and to love others. Cause if I don't believe that God loves me, its impossible to abandon myself fully to Him in love, and its even more impossible to love all the imperfect people around me. Jesus words in John 17: 23 show the love that God wants me to know and experience.
" I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
So this year my word is:
BELOVED
ohhhhh i love your word choice! letting the truth of who you are wash over you day after day as you focus on "beloved"... wow... that is going to change you forever.
ReplyDeleteso love watching Him work in and through you, melissa. you have a beautiful heart.
What a beautiful word.
ReplyDeleteWow! Such a great word! I still have trouble believing I'm beloved. I'm working on it. ;) Looking forward to seeing how God reveals this to you this coming year!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your word. Beloved has such a special meaning to me after a friend did something special for me last Valentine's Day....it has resonated it my heart since. What a beautiful year you are going to have as your beloved surrounds you with Him presence and love.
ReplyDeleteohhh i really like your word!! such simple yet so much power behind it.
ReplyDeleteI love the word BELOVED! What an awesome way to marinate in God's truth.
ReplyDeleteNice word.
ReplyDeleteWhat a strong word to take hold of for the coming year. Believe it. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful word to choosee! I pray that this year God shows you over and over again that you are indeed his beloved!
ReplyDeleteBELOVED. That is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI chose courage this year, and it was encouraging to see that that word touched you last year. Awesome.