A few years ago it I realised the importance of a word. A word can give life, direction, encouragement. A word sometimes is needed when we get a little lost along the way. It happens though right? We get a destination in mind and we somehow detour our way through the year. I realised though I got distracted from the call. I stepped out of what I knew I was called to pursue because I had lost focus and other things were beginning to make sense in my mind, but were distractions and steering me off course.
So I decided I would fast and set aside time to inquire, to seek God out and ask Him for a fresh word. Lately it hasn’t just been a word for the year, its been a word for each season. And I’ve loved how this has evolved for us as a family. A word has the ability to pull focus for a period of time. A word for the year has been helpful when the cogs are turning and we can’t see the fruit. A word encourages and edifies and builds into us promise and hope of things to come. A word causes us to stay the path. For us 2016’s word was Momentum. Then 2017 was Favour and Preparation. And more recently our word for the season was Joy followed by Rest and Play.
With the year’s new beginning I am asking the Lord to show me what direction 2018 will take. And I want to encourage you to find your direction too.
“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” Proverbs 29:18
So how do you find your word for the year?
Make room.
It’s so simple. And this will look different for each person but ultimately it is simply setting aside some time to connect with God in whatever way you connect. Use this time to journal, to pray and read the word, often when we are removed from our daily routine and environments we get clearer insight. Ask Him for supernatural insight into what this year holds and what He wants to achieve in and through us. Ask Him for one word. Write it down and meditate on it. Ask God to reveal how this word might impact you over the next 12 months. Ask Him to bring clarity
Once a month I head to the mountains for a retreat day to seek God out on our next steps for a given season. And when it comes to the word for the year in the past I’ve set aside the first few weeks of the year to fast something (coffee, Netflix, chocolate… whatever works for 21 days) and pray into the year. These have been some of the most encouraging times where dreaming and pursuing the call has been sown into. God has shown up every time and looking back, those fasts have proven to have fed us through the years landscape of ups and downs.
Sweet one, in making time and space you are allowing His Spirit to give you insight. So keep in His presence and ask Him to reveal to you your next steps. I look forward to hearing what your word for the year is!
until next time… xox