Category: one word

One Word for 2017

Posted on by Susan Panzica

worship-2017

 

For the past few years, I’ve been part of a growing trend – to select one word for the year, rather than set a bunch of resolutions likely doomed to failure.

I thought the one word concept would work for me. And often throughout the year, it does. My word can serve as a little bird that flutters in my brain at the point of decision making, keeping me on track. Or it can serve as a sit-down-and-contemplate-for-a- while-experience. Previous one-words for me include:  Now, Faithfulness, Obey, Purpose.

To be honest, each year I fell short of my one little word. These words, all of them, were intended to spur me on to good works and help me stay on track of projects. They were to inspire my actions, to be purposeful, faithful, and obedient. Instead, too often I was distracted, disillusioned, or downright disobedient. At those times, I wavered between (1) berating myself for my lack of discipline and (2) remembering that in His grace, God still loves me, yet feeling like I disappointed Him.

I considered not choosing a word this year, right along with not making resolutions that I’d fail at anyway. But during this period of contemplation, I had a realization. It occurred to me that each of my words, strong and worthy as they were, focused on my efforts and achievement. They required the work of my will to be fullfilled.

I decided to change my focus. My word for this year is WORSHIP.

Rather than striving in my strength, I will seek the Lord on His holy hill. I will breathe in the Spirit. I will let Him guide me in these decisions. And all my actions will flow FROM His leading, rather than striving in my own strength and marginal wisdom.

Growing up, I attended Hebrew school and learned Jewish prayers that almost always start this way:

ברוך אתה ה’ אלהינו, מלך העולם…

Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha`olam…

Translation: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe…”

 

Before asking for anything, we worshipped God. I’ve now printed out these words and posted them by my desk so that I have the reminder to worship throughout the day.

I realize that I still need to be obedient to His calling, but if my focus is on Him, I anticipate He will direct me. Both the words “discipline” and “disciple” share the same root: learner. If I am a disciple, I will allow my Teacher to lead me, and the discipline will flow.

Ultimately, for me, my purpose is to bring an eternal perspective to everything here on earth. There is an overarching purpose for each of our lives, and the daily circumstances and roles we play are small ingredients in much larger divine recipe. As I learn to keep my focus on the eternal in worship, I trust that God will direct me in everything I do and in every relationship I have.

Do you have a word for the year? What is it? And why?

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On Purpose for 2016!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

For the past few years, I’ve been part of a growing trend – to select one word for the year, rather than set a bunch of resolutions likely doomed to failure.

The one word concept works for me. Throughout the year, my word often serves as a little bird that flutters in my brain at the point of decision making, keeping me on track. Sometimes it serves as a sit-down-and-contemplate-for-a- while-experience. Previous one-words for me include: Now, Faithfulness, Obey.

Those previous one-words were chosen after meditation and consideration, but this year, the word came to me like a bullet. I heard it in a moment and grabbed it for the year with an assurance that this word would serve me well.

My word for 2016 is Purpose. Or more specifically: Purposed.

As in “But Daniel purposed in his heart…” Dan. 1:8

Fifteen times, the word “purposed” appears in Scripture. In all but four verses, the word refers to God purposing to do something. Only Daniel, David, and Paul were people that purposed to do something. One purposed in his spirit (Paul), one in his heart (Daniel), and one in his mouth (David).

 

The Dictionary tells us that purpose can be a noun or a verb:

Purpose 2016

 

Purpose is what motivates us in life, what moves us forward. Without a purpose, we’re left to wander and to wonder why we’re doing anything, why we’re even here. But God created each of us with a purpose. And by discovering our purpose and working all we do within that purpose, we can accomplish God’s purposes and experience fulfillment in life.

So this year, I am purposing in my heart, spirit, and mouth to walk and talk in God’s purposes for me.

At each point of life’s decisions, whether  large or small, the little word “purpose” flutters across my brain and begs me to ask the question, “Is this opportunity within God’s purpose for me?” If not, I have the freedom to gracefully decline without feeling guilty. If yes, I experience the confidence to move forward boldly.

God’s purposes aren’t always plans or definitive actions. His purposes include growing in the fruits of the Spirit, developing Christ-likeness, resting in His presence.

Ultimately, for me, my purpose is to bring an eternal perspective to everything here on earth. There is an overarching purpose for each of our lives, and the daily circumstances and roles we play are small ingredients in much larger divine recipe.

Do you have a word for the year? What is it? And why?

Susan_signature

 

 

 

For more on the “One Word” perspective, check out One Word 365.

One Word for 2014

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Last year, my friend Elise wrote a post that challenged me to come up with one word for 2013. I wrote about it here.

Now I’m thinking about a word for 2014. But before I do, here’s a look back at how this “one word concept” impacted me in 2013.

My word was NOW.

I wanted to SAVOR the NOW – not miss the present because I was worried about the future.
   ~ and ~
I wanted to DO it NOW – stop procrastinating, take action, and avoid distraction. 

This vase above was a gift from my daughter. I kept it on my desk, its image on my phone home screen, and thought about “NOW” a lot!

In my contemplation, my mind initially went to all the things I procrastinated about and I felt like a failure. Yup. Thankfully, that’s not the end of my story.

I thought some more about decisions that I did act upon – in the NOW. Yes, I may have put off some things, but not all things. And some of these decisions fulfilled lifelong aspirations.

One of them set me on a new trajectory in life. 

In June, I saw a friend’s post on Facebook about human trafficking. Unknown to anyone, my interest in HT was growing. I harbored a desire to get involved in some way to rid the world of slavery, but had no idea how. I began collecting information, supporting friends who were serving with IJM in India, reading fiction and nonfiction on this issue.

When Tanya posted a story from her blog on facebook, I commented adding “I’m interested in this….” Another (totally unrelated) friend commented too, adding “If you do something, let me know.” This comment sparked the question in me – “Am I going to do something? Or is this another time where I say I want to do something, but don’t actually do anything?” 



NOW – my word for 2013.

So in that moment, I did something. I reached out to Tanya, and God took over.

From our meeting across her kitchen table a few months ago, we have grown into Justice Network, an group dedicated to raising awareness of human trafficking and supporting organizations on the front lines of the issue, both local and global.

I’ve learned more in the past few months than I have in the past few years. Our little group is growing in unimaginable ways (Eph. 3:20-21). There’s LOT more I’ll be sharing with you about this in January.  Look for it!!!

The purpose of today’s post is to share my word for 2014 and to hopefully inspire you to consider adopting a word for your 2014.

For the past 2 weeks, I pondered what my word would be for the new year.

And today it hit me. Just flew into my brain matter, struck a chord in my heart, and lodged there.

“FAITHFULNESS”

I want to not only be a woman of faith, who fully loves God, though that would be enough.

I want to be faithful in the commitments I make, those He calls me to. I want my “yes” to mean “yes.” I want to act faithfully, to learn more about this fruit of the Spirit, and to be transformed into the embodiment of faithfulness.

My favorite definition of faithfulness came from Wikipedia of all places!

Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something and putting that loyalty into consistent practice, regardless of extenuating circumstances. It may be applied to a husband or wife does not engage in sexual relationships outside of the marriage, a customer at a restaurant who regularly dines there, or even to God himself with regard to His perpetual love towards His children that is not dependent on their worthiness. Literally, it is the state of being full of faith in the somewhat archaic sense of steady devotion to a person, thing or concept. (emphasis mine)

 Is faithfulness “somewhat archaic” as Wikipedia implies?

I hope not. What do you think???

For more information and inspiration about One Word for One Year, click on over to Circles of Faith where Elise shares her word for 2014 as well as a list of resources to guide you. 

What’s YOUR word for 2014?  Please let me know!

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