*Pretty flowers from my husband. A great way to start a new year.
For most of my years, I have been a New Year's resolution FLOP.
Failing in what I wanted to do.
Losing my grip because I couldn't last past February for most resolutions.
Overlooking the good things I did do.
Praying for a better way to face a new year.
Then last year I learned about using one word to focus on for your New Year. I was intrigued with changing my focus from ME and my laundry list of failings and needs to change to one word that I could use to focus on all of my year. I chose the word REACH.
With the word REACH in mind I worked with other volunteers at HopeFest in Phoenix helping provide for very basic needs for people in Arizona. The event was held in Phoenix at Chase Field. People received food, dental work, eye exams, medical exams, car seats, lunch (that was our main duty wrapping hot dogs and providing food for all the guests receiving service), clothing, counseling help, and so much more. It was an amazing opportunity to see God at work through His people.
I used the word REACH to look into my own life and see that I needed some healing. I had a long history of pain on my shoulders. Over seven years ago, I forgave so many for the things that happened in my life, but I never forgave...me.
I used the word REACH to hold my arms out to my Abba Father and ask Him to love me as His daughter. Something I have always been afraid to do because of my own father issues.
REACH was there reminding me to share my heart with a good friend when I was going through a really tough time at work.
REACH is what I did when I decided to sign up for Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies so I could make a real change in my life and "Say Yes To God."
REACH kept me going through another study so I could gain "A Confident Heart."
REACH was my start my grasp toward something better.
Picking one word, changed my perspective on facing the new year. Last year was good, but this year is going to be better.
My word for 2014 is SURRENDER.
To keep this quick, here is where I stand on that right now.
I am surrendering my will to His will. I will make plans with God in mind. I know that He has blessed me with gifts, but my own fears have kept me from remotely investing in them. My doubts kept me constantly saying "I can't" rather than remembering that "He can" and above all "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13).
I surrender to waiting for God to bring all the things He wants me to do to me, and instead move towards what I believe He wants and accepting whatever happens when I make those first steps.
With surrender in mind I will give my thoughts to God. I will not think negative thoughts about myself. I will think God thoughts for myself. I will also ask the Lord to help me think good thoughts toward others and ask how I can best serve Him by loving them (Luke 6:27-28) "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
I will also surrender my weaknesses to Him. Especially when it comes to food and exercise. There was a time when I was fit. I want to go back to those times. Not because I want my outside to look good, but because through this I can better serve the Lord. I want to be a shining example of what God can do. A big part of this will be taking part of the next Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies "Made To Crave."
Because music has always been a big part of my life and because I work in Christian radio, I decided to find a song that I will make MY SONG to hold me to my focus this year. That song is "We Won't Be Shaken" by Building 429. I believe part of my SURRENDER is going to be holding onto that reminder that no matter what, I will not be shaken.
Here's the second verse which really moves me...well it all does really:
You know my every longing
You've heard my every prayer
You've held me in my weakness
Cause You are always there
So I'll stand in full surrender
It's Your way and not my own
My mind is set on nothing less
Than You and You alone
I will not be moved oh
Last night I was reading my Proverbs 31 Ministries magazine and I read an article by Rachel Olsen. It was about Choosing One Word to focus on for the year rather than tying yourself up with resolutions that, let's face it, most of us never keep anyway. It was as if a light bulb went off in my head! This is exactly what I have needed!
I am going to paraphrase here, but basically the idea is to pick a word that will be your inspiration, your filter for the entire year. I see it as the way I will approach each and every day. I really want to draw closer to God. I want to draw into a deeper relationship with Him and be used to bless others. I do not know the plans God has for my life, but I do know that I want to walk that walk that He planned for me. I see this as my start.
After reading the article, I felt so inspired and excited, I immediately looked up the book that Rachel wrote with her pastor Mike Ashcraft titled "My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word
." Only pure will kept me from ordering it last night online. It isn't that I didn't want to. I just order a lot through Amazon and if I order through Amazon, I tend to order enough to get free shipping. As Christmas just went by, that would not be very frugal of me. So I stepped away from my excitement and decided to pray.
I so admire women like Rachel Olsen, Renee Swope, Tracie Miles, Lysa TerKeurst, Joyce Myers, Candace Cameron-Bure and...well, let's just say the list goes on and on. These lovely women have such hearts for God. I am in awe of them really. Seeing these ladies in action is humbling, and it stirs up a desire in my own heart to be used by God. First though I want to truly hunger for God, desire His word and His company more than anything else. I want to live the life He created me to live and discover the gifts that he has given me to bless others. I don't just want it, I want to want it. If that makes sense. I want to desire His will more than my own. I want to conform my desires to God's plans. When I think of who I want to be at the end of the year 2013, I'd like to be just remotely like any of these women and others. I want to love, I want to give, I want to inspire. I want more than anything to again desire my God and serve my God above all else.
So I prayed. God knows my heart. He knows how I feel. I told Him that I wanted to find one word for the new year. I told him that I wanted to pick up the book and learn more, but if I could have that word before I picked up the book, that would be awesome too. I asked for that word that fit where my heart is and where it longs to be. Then in my mind was the word ----REACH. I literally asked out loud "Was that you God? Did you tell me reach?" I answered myself. Of course it was God. Why would I toss the word REACH out? I could choose faithful, truth, love, devotion, and go on and on (and there is nothing wrong with any of those words). But that is not me. Not that I don't feel those things, but I am a quirky gal. I am going to definitely go a more obscure route. REACH is my route. I knew it more and more as I slowly lulled off to sleep.
This morning I woke up a little frazzled. See I wasn't sure what I was going to talk about on air (I am still so new to this hosting gig), and it still gets me sometimes. I was in the bathroom stressing a bit and began to brush my teeth. I then thought "Reach." I stopped everything and prayed to God for the strength to get through my show and asked Him to lead the way. I immediately felt better. When I got into the station the phone rang constantly. I ran back and forth from my early morning duties to the phone. I had just made a pot of coffee for the office and poured myself a cup when the phone rang. The caller on the other end was sobbing. She asked if there was anyone who could talk with her. She said she felt so sad, depressed and wanted to take her life. There were three of us in the studio. Me, the morning host, and one of our financial personnel. I gulped. Then again REACH came to mind. Again, I reached out to God for help and reached out to this woman not knowing what to say but praying that God would touch her and take away her pain. Now this isn't some magic word, but it is helping me get my priorities straight. It is keeping me in check, and I'm pretty psyched about that.
God is amazing! He is so good and so faithful. I called and He answered. I have no doubt of that. Sometimes God surprises us. I feel surprised and joyously so now. I do not know what the year has in store, but I will be focusing with every part of myself on the word REACH and making it my action. I will REACH into God's Word, REACH inside myself, and REACH out to God and to others. I can't wait to see how this year goes!
Oh! While I was at work, I called the Family Christian Store in town, and they had the book "My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word." I was so excited! I told them I would be picking it up after I got out of the station, and they promised to hold it for me. In the meantime I also discovered the website My One Word. I signed up there as well. :) It is an inspiring place. There are lots of people who have done this many times. I can't wait to learn more!
