One Word (booster shot)

At the beginning of 2020 we were all challenged to choose a word. “One Word" to focus on throughout the next 12 months and here we are 7 months into the year. I felt now would be a good time to remind us about our word and to reevaluate our one word.

A few years back in a previous article about this subject I wrote. “So I challenge you to write this one word down in lots of locations: in your Bible, your car, your bathroom mirror, on your phone…make it a definite part of your daily routine. Remember, simply identifying a word will not give you a greater advantage in your spiritual journey; it will not cause you to live more successfully, just because you’ve picked a word. Make sure you understand this word is a daily encouragement tool, hopefully spurring you to greater levels of spiritual growth, greater levels of sincere relationships, greater levels of success within the calling God has placed upon your life. Secondly, this word is most likely already part of your life, it’s related to an area where you know you need growth and you have a desire to improve. Most of us should choose a word that is already incorporated in our daily lifestyle and/or a point of interest because we need growth within our spiritual walk with God and man. Having said this, it needn’t be an area which is lacking, you just don’t want it to stay status quo. Third and finally, if you start this process and realize that your word changes direction or even changes entirely, that’s OK! The ultimate purpose of having “one word” is to help us to engage our three-part being (body, soul, and spirit) regularly. No different than taking the time each day for proper rest, nutrition, exercise, and relationship building. God said it best in Philippians 4:8, we must be intentional in our thought life because that is what shapes us.”

Here is a serious but silly question; do you remember your word? Possibly some of you don’t remember your word because life took a strange turn about 4 months ago. No problem, just start over or pick up from where you left off.

I chose the word “uncluttered” as my one word for 2020. Building off the top paragraph let’s dig a little deeper about activities surrounding our one word. Make it a specific part of your daily prayer life, daily journaling, daily routine, something that we dwell on frequently. This word does not define you; rather it helps shape who you aspire to be. It’s just one of the many growth tools a person should incorporate into their life. You should be expecting God to use many resources, whether it’s books, training classes, Sunday school (starting back up today), Bible curriculum online, fasting, prayer walking, praying in the spirit, serving at a local food shelf, or expanding the boundaries of your comfort zone. I want you to reach for that next level of spiritual growth. Let’s do our very best and add the one-word theme to our spiritual toolbox. We are now on day 202, but who's counting. Let’s take the next 5 months and build upon or reignite the “One Word” you feel will help you reach your next level of spiritual growth.

Don’t let anything, even some unseen virus, stop you from fulfilling God's calling for your life. Much of the world and even some within the family of God are still very apprehensive about this unseen enemy. Don’t forget to pray Psalm 91 over your spouse, children, extended family, whoever the Spirit of God tells you to lift up. Last but not least pray it over yourself and at the same time declare your "One Word" and thank God you will live to fulfill what He wants to accomplish in and through your life.