I didn’t want it at first. I waged so many (semi-intelligent) arguments against its persistent knocking on my soul.
- That doesn’t fit.
- That just won’t cut it
- Sarah already chose you
It was really that last that stopped me in my tracks and made twenty-five other words roll around in my brain for forever, until I finally sent her a scramble-brain text and asked if I could have it. She said yes. Of course she did.
And Jesus laughs.
The History
Six years in a row, I’ve asked God for a word. I’ve written no resolutions. Just one word.
The way He’s given each word is a story in itself, really. Read the stories here:
- 2010 // o p p o r t u n i t y — that year no one knew how to say when we were (is it oh-ten or ‘ten or twenty-ten?), I hardly knew where I was, new grad that I was. I started writing.
- 2011 // r a d i c a l — because it’s synonymous with Daring (my favorite word of them all).
- 2012 // p r a y e r — failed me. Or I failed it. And I learned therein lies its greatest beauty
- 2013 // r e n e w i n g — plopped me on a dusty path where the sunlight shimmers
- 2014 // r i s e — it became my battle cry
From Rise…
I said this last year: I think this year’s word may be the bravest of them all. I think this year may be the bravest of them all. 2014 was also the year I tossed a cap in the air, said goodbye to uni, and signed a three-book deal.
I did not see that year coming when I first saw the word written in the dust.
…To Embrace
whatever the present moment contains, embrace it as if you had chosen it yourself. — eckhart tolle
Because for sure I once upon a time envisioned this post-grad year differently. For one thing, I did not plan on releasing two books!
the secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building [ embracing ] the new. — socrates
And I want to change. Be kinder. More daring. Build new.
being deeply loved gives you strength; loving deeply gives you courage. — lao tzu
This is the year I am less selfish, yet more me.
And One More Thing
A sweep of His Word reveals my word comes into Scripture most at reunions. Confession? I could do with more reunions, from out-of-state friends and prodigal family and the mysterious Man who insists on staying misty and absent (take your time, sir, I’m in crazy author mode at the moment).
But there are instances where God’s people embraced other gods. Jesus, let that not be me. And there’s one where Abraham embraces the promises, though it’s right when he’s about to make a soul-deep sacrifice. Jesus, I’ll take that one.
- This year, I want to embrace others: become a rising light to the hungry and afflicted. (Isaiah 58:10)
- This year, I want to embrace Him and embrace my trembling self: as Jesus bends near and whispers, “Rise, and have no fear.” (Matthew 17:7)
Truthfully? I’d still love a word like love or peace or holy. Perhaps, though, He’s calling me, this sin-scarred soul, to embrace battle for the sacred.
Do you choose One Word?
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