Theme for 2013: Rejoice

Oops. This post got stuck in draft mode for quite a while. This was written several weeks ago.

Several years ago I read an article online about having a one word theme for the year. You can read the entire thing here. My paraphrased version is this: Pray and ask God to show you what one word/concept he wants you to focus on for the year. Once you know what it is, you focus on growing in that area all year long. You can do a word study in the Bible, look for ways to worship/serve/grow closer to God through that word, and let it affect you relationally, emotionally, at work, at home, in all areas of your life.

For example, in 2009 my theme was humility. Not my choice, but I learned a lot about being humble and having humility before God and man. Incidentally that year I learned that I have a lot of pride. The next year I focused on wisdom and seeking God's wisdom for all areas of my life. For 2011, my theme was patience. A very good theme to have the year I planned my wedding and was away from Arold for 5 months! Last year, 2012, was focused on God's faithfulness. (So much freaking out about finances, support, having a baby, my house in Mishawaka, etc. etc. etc., but so many opportunities to see God's faithfulness to us!).

After some prayer and some frustrations about life, I realized my theme for this year is rejoice. As in...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, REJOICE! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:4-7

and my all time favorite verse...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. --Romans 15:13

Now that I know I will be rejoicing in the Lord this year, I see things all around me that pointed to this theme. We often sing "This is the day" to Isaac. Nearly every day one of us sings the line, "I will rejoice and be glad in it." It's a good lesson for all of us. And my friend Alison gave me this awesome magnet for Christmas that simply says "JOY". How's that for a reminder to rejoice in the Lord every time I'm in the kitchen. And the calendar my grandma gave me had "live joyously" as the text for January.

2013: the year of rejoicing

Word of the Year, 2012: Faithful

In college, I formed the habit of choosing one scripture verse to be my theme for the year. I memorized the verse or group of verses, prayed it over my life, and tried to apply it to all the situations I found myself in throughout the year. It was a really good habit and caused growth in my spiritual life.

In 2009, I mixed things up and chose a one word theme for the year. In 2009 I focused on humility, in 2010 wisdom, and 2011 was patience. I don't feel like I've had an "easy" year in the mix at all. I mean, if God wanted me to focus on LOVE, I feel like that would be easy. But since the point is spiritual growth and not comfort, I guess being uncomfortable indicates it's working.

The end of 2011 was a bit... full. I prayed about a theme for the year, but I didn't really sit and listen to God much. I was kind of busy with my wedding and being a newlywed. It wasn't until a week or so ago, that I really felt peace about a theme for the year. I tossed around perseverance,  peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. But ultimately I felt like God was giving me the word faithful.

So this year of 2012 (Is it weird that I always say it in Creole when I type or write it?) will be a year of pondering what it means to be faithful and looking for evidence in my life that God is faithful. I don't think it's going to take much work to recognize God's faithfulness, but learning to be more full of faith could make life pretty interesting.

Anybody else up for choosing a one word theme for the year? If so, leave me a comment with your word.

Stress

Stress has been my constant companion lately. I can't seem to shake it.

In the midst of my stress I've made some decisions that I've regretted. I've snapped at people that did not deserve my harsh words, and I've taken my frustrations out on those who had nothing to do with the source of my frustrations. I've been selfish, thinking the world should revolve around me and my problems.

Some would say that stress does that to people. That people under stress have the right to focus on themselves, to be put others on the back burner until the stress decreases.

The more I think about that line of thought, the less I agree. I want to be someone who treats others well, despite the pressure I'm facing. Is that unrealistic?

Is it possible to treat others well while under stress?

A Psalm of Conviction

Psalm 26

A psalm of David.

¹ Declare me innocent, O Lord,
for I have acted with integrity;
I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
² Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.
³ For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
and I have lived according to your truth.
⁴ I do not spend time with liars
or go along with hypocrites.
⁵ I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
⁶ I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
I come to your altar, O Lord,
⁷ singing a song of thanksgiving
and telling of all your wonders.
⁸ I love your sanctuary, Lord,
the place where your glorious presence dwells.

⁹ Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.
Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
¹⁰ Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
and they constantly take bribes.
¹¹ But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
So redeem me and show me mercy.
¹² Now I stand on solid ground,
and I will publicly praise the Lord.

Theme for 2010: Wisdom

Wisdom
-knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action
-discernment or insight
-a wise outlook, plan, or course of action

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.” Psalm 111:10 (NLT)

"Joyful is the person who find wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold." Proverbs 3:13, 14 (NLT)

Heavenly Father, please allow me to grow in wisdom this year as I strive to obey your commands. Show me where I've failed to discern your truth, and fill in the holes where my knowledge of what is true is lacking. May you be glorified by the action that will come from gaining wisdom. Amen.