Well, I’ve got it. My OneWord for 2014. I’ll be honest, it took me a bit longer to commit to it because it is kind of big…I was hoping that I’d be able to come up with something different…maybe something that wouldn’t be such a challenge for me but it seems like the word has stuck and so I’ll go with it.
SPEAK.
Yup. It’s big. I don’t really know where to start. I have no idea where exactly it’ll take me this year but I’m up for the challenge in a few different ways.
SPEAK in: I need to be speaking the right things in my own life. I need to listen to what God is saying to me and tell myself truth. It can be so easy to listen to the naysayers and the criticism of other people. SPEAK means no longer agreeing with the negativity and no longer repeating those things to myself, but hearing the truth that God has for me and confirming it…constantly…to myself. SPEAK also means that I need to be SPEAKING in to other people’s lives. I need to be open; to share my heart; to come alongside other people and to encourage them.
SPEAK out: I need to be SPEAKING truth and wisdom. SPEAKING the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) is something I need to work on. It’s often a lot easier to ignore the truth so that I don’t hurt or offend someone; because I’m worried what their reaction will be. I do know that if I SPEAK the truth in love we will all be better off It’s not about SPEAKING whatever comes to mind whenever it comes. There is wisdom in knowing how to wait and listen but I also need to learn what it means to be slow to SPEAK (James 1:19). “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before SPEAKING” Proverbs 15:28. I need to do that. Proverbs 18:20 says that “wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction”. Sounds good to me! Finally, I need to SPEAK out by teaching and leading to the best of my ability and step into a calling that I’ve avoided for too long. I’m not sure what that will look like but I’ll be working on being more open to it at least.
SPEAK up: I need to “SPEAK up for people who can not speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed”( Proverbs 31:8). I need to fight a cause that is greater than myself. I need to SPEAK up about what I believe. Psalm 34:1 “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises”. SPEAKING means not keeping quiet about the important things in my life.
See. I said it was big. I was hoping for something a bit more simple but this is it. It’s big. It’s overwhelming. It’s fantastic.
I’m excited for the heart change that happens when I have a Oneword focus and this year isn’t going to be any different. If you haven’t chosen a word for the year I’d encourage you to do it. It’s way better than a New Year’s Resolution and it’ll bring a change in your life over the course of this year that you won’t regret!