My Guiding Word Comes into Focus!
It doesn’t seem possible the final Monday of January 2023 is here!
Earlier this month, my Monday post began with an explanation about a Facebook post asking “friends” if they had chosen a “guiding” word for the year. I commented,
I agree with many researchers who suggest choosing a word rather than making resolutions is a more effective way to begin a new year, nudging people in a direction that aligns with core values and leads to transformational change.
I had a problem with my friend’s question, though. For the past few weeks, not one, but four words keep rattling around in me, and I have been unsuccessful in homing in on one guiding word for 2023. Each word I’ve been pondering begins with “R.” …
A couple days later, as I once again reviewed the words under consideration: Respect, Restraint, Receive, and Rejoice, the “R” word upon which I knew God wanted me to place my focus emerged: RECEIVE.
So, what is the significance of this word? To be completely honest, I have no idea. Since beginning the process of choosing a guiding word or phrase nearly 20 years ago, my experience has been God will show me! New insights are going to emerge. If the past is an indicator, understanding my journey of faith will expand, and trust in the often mysterious, always divine, work of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will enlarge.
I’m aware of some discomfort with the word “RECEIVE,” which feels a bit too subjective. Since not knowing what lies ahead when I really like to be prepared and in control, how can I trust God in the liminal space of unknowing?
Today, I’ve been meditating on words written by the Apostle Paul to his friends in Philippi. Paul knew the Philippians well. He had spent a good deal of time with them. Increasingly, life had become extremely difficult for early believers of Jesus. They suffered much persecution, even martyrdom, and in fact, Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from a Roman prison. These Christian men and women who paved the path upon which we walk today, faced enormous unknowing.
Words Paul wrote to his friends about their situation—as paraphrased in The Message—speak deeply to my soul:
What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 MSG)
As I wait for insight about the word RECEIVE during the next eleven months, I’m not only going to keep on doing what I’ve been doing, but I’m going to try to kick my efforts up a notch or two. I declare a desire to walk out my faith with energy, reverence, and sensitivity. As Paul suggested, I will seek to RECEIVE God’s energy that lies deep within me, recognizing it is energy which not only comes from God, but which brings pleasure to God.
How about you? Do you have a word or phrase you believe is intended to guide you through this new year? If so, please share! I’d love to hear about it and imagine other readers may as well.
Blessings on your journey through the remainder of 2023!
Blessings on Your Journey,
