My One Word

I have my one word:

ABIDE

Kim introduced me to My One Word by just over a year and a half ago. It is an alternative to New Year resolutions. Resolutions are often made based on past failures, areas of regret, or shame based thinking that often starts "if only I was..." My One Word is different. From the My One Word website:

If you’re like most people, each January goes something like this: You choose a problematic behavior that has plagued you for years and vow to reverse it. In fact, you can probably think of two or three undesirable habits—make that four or five. Thus begins the litany of imperfections to be perfected commonly known as “New Year’s Resolutions.” All of which are typically off your radar by February.

“My One Word” is an experiment designed to move you beyond this cycle. The challenge is simple: lose the long list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick ONE WORD. This process provides clarity by taking all your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single focus. Just one word that centers on your character and creates a vision for your future. - See more at My One Word

Normally people choose a word for the year, January to December. Being a bit of a resolution rebel, I decided to select a word for my 33rd year (April 26, 2014 to April 25, 2015). In fact it is the first challenge on the 33 While 33.

I've had my word for almost four months. I enjoyed the process of picking the word. The actual challenge has been remembering the word. I thought about it daily in May. By mid June it was just a thought in the back of my mind and by July it was an after thought. This month I've been asking myself how am I doing with my word? How am I "abiding"? The questions have helped me regain my focus and challenged how I am at seeking and abiding with God.

What my word has been leading me to is a deeper interest in how I think about the Holy Spirit, being Spirit filled, and the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). I've started reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan. It's effecting how I am praying and even reacting to daily encounters with others. I'm going to start sharing my thoughts on the book over the next few days and weeks.