The month of December was already moving along and I told myself that I didn’t need a “word” for the year. Time was running out and many people I knew were already posting their “one word.” I was feeling that this next year would be a time of “me and God” without the customary “one word” hanging over my head.
Thinking was my first mistake and believing that God had not already chosen a word just for me was my second. God has shown His faithfulness in choosing a word for me the last five years. Why would this year be any different? But, what happens when you don’t want a word of the year?
The Mic Drop Moment
I spend time each morning hanging out with God. It is my rhythm and time to center myself for the day. On this particular morning I was in the process of writing down a list of all things I was grateful for in 2020. It was three days after Christmas and the house was not only quiet, but my soul was quiet, too.
My view from the couch was a set of twinkle lights wrapped around the mantle and gentle flames lapping the textured wood in my fireplace. I wish I could have recorded this moment for authenticity’s sake, but God doesn’t work like that. In a flash, the quiet was interrupted with one word “alignment” and as soon as I heard it the quiet was restored. If you can have a mic drop moment during your quiet time, I most certainly did.
I’m sure a look of surprise crossed my face as I was still trying my best to ignore what I had just heard. I wrote the word down in my journal, just in case.
My “just in case” moment arrived shortly after the mic drop. Boom! I knew with everything in me that God had just delivered my word, even though, I didn’t ask for it.
But I Don’t Want a Word of the Year!
I’m sure many of us have experienced times where God shows up big. I feel whiny telling you all that choosing a word of the year seemed like too much after last year’s train wreck. But, God heard my heart and still knew what was best for me.
God takes each heart cry and redeems them in the way that is best for us. He chooses the perfect timing to reveal His desires and throws the ball into our court. It quickly becomes our turn to decide what we will do next.
You may love having a word of the year. You might even be the person who hears early from God and can’t wait to share the word with everyone. Or, there might be more of you in me than you care to admit. Either scenario is okay. The third option is to not choose a word of the year at all. Good for you!
God’s choice for each of us is unique and one that fits our needs. Don’t you love how He knows us so well?
I Have a Word–Now What?
Whether I am ready or not, God knows I need to work on the alignment of my body, mind, and spirit this year. I know I need it too, even though it is hard to say out loud.
Those of us who have a word of the year move forward in different ways. My next step is to dive into God’s Word to learn what He wants to teach me about alignment. Finding the truth is an important next step.
Maybe, you spend some time trying on your word for size. You ask yourself, “What will this look like in my daily life?”
Maybe, you share your word with family or friends and ask them how they see this playing out in the new year.
Or, maybe, you pray about the new word and listen for God to reveal what is next.
As we move from January into February, let’s remember that God knows us best. He will show you how your one word will play out this year. Take time to remain alert and open to what He is teaching.
What happens when your word of the year, the one you didn't want, interrupts your quiet time as the ultimate Mic drop moment? Join me to read more. #newpost #alignment #wordoftheyear Share on XGod’s words to me are from Romans 12:1-2. May it serve as a prayer for you, too.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Blessings,
I don’t think it it like a “Word of The Year” – I think of it as a class He’s enrolled me in – and it’s work. It’s not easy. It’s something I need to learn – except for maybe the Year of Jubilee – a year of blessing – but then I struggled a bit with that, too with guilt. Sometimes the word denotes survival in the challenge (like The Year of Standing and The Year of All is Well.) It’s always a class where I need lots of development, lots of growth and lots of Him. BTW – as I was looking up, I saw your response about posture. Having had spinal fusion surgery last January – to get me in alignment, they had to cut through the muscles attached to my spine. I had tremendous leg weakness for quite a while. My upper back/shoulders/wing area which hadn’t been straight since I was 12 screamed the loudest because all those muscles had to adjust – and those shoulders and wings are still adjusting to being “right.” It takes perseverance, a willingness to push through being uncomfortable for my spine to be as God designed it to be – which is straight and true. I am also intrigued at what God will reveal to you about alignment and posture!
Mary, I so appreciate your honesty here. I’ve had years when God showed me my word early, as in August-early, and I’ve had a few years when I was still waiting for Him to confirm my word on December 31st. My word this year is KNOWN. And, God is using it to play into one of my heartbeat themes of helping others see their value. I’m so curious to see all He’s going to teach me and the changes He wants to do in me as I meditate on this word. I like your word!
I loved reading your thoughts about this, Mary. I’ve had various inner dialogues about my words over the years—like, “what, are you kidding me, God?” But they always, always turn out to be exactly what I need in my life during that season. Once I have my word, I always make my family guess what it is. That’s a fun little exercise that usually takes quite a while, but they always guess in the end. 🙂 Looking forward to reading what “alignments” means for you this year.
My word found me early last year – probably in June. As soon as it popped into my mind, I knew. I wrote some thoughts about my word (empty), and am now at the same point you are. I am asking God “Now what?” Now I must have patience and stillness to listen for God to speak to me to let me know what is next. My quiet time with God is right before bedtime. I am hoping for a Hallelujah moment like yours!
I’ve had the big moment and I’m pretty sure it’s time for me to get to work. I pray we both hear clearly from God and get moving toward whatever God has for us.
I love your story of how God gave you a word, Mary. Thank you for being so honest. Yes, God knows us so well. I’m looking forward to hearing more of God’s leading throughout the year. I haven’t done one for years, but God nudged me towards one this year – grace. Love and blessings to you!
God has a way of getting His point across, doesn’t He? I find it interesting that God has chosen a word for you this year. You’re not the only one who has told me that they have a word this year when they usually don’t. It’s so good to see you here, Trudy.
I always love reading people’s stories of how God leads them to a particular word and then how he uses it in their lives. Part of what I love about having a word is seeing what God will teach me through it because it’s often something unexpected.
I agree with you. God has always used my one word to teach me and show me how to depend on Him in a greater way.
Funny, I didn’t think I would have a word for 2021, but PERSEVERE sort of barged in, and it sounds as if that has been your experience as well. We will likely be learning a lot!
We will be learning a lot and I’m ready for it. God must know we need bold interruption to get His point across.
I appreciate this broad look at a “word for the year” that covers so many options and gives God and us the decision about what his choice for us may be. I think it is important in all areas of our walk with Him to be consistent, but not hold so hard to what we have always done that we don’t give Him room to work in a new way. God often drops a word in my heart and spirit, but it has not been for a year to focus upon. I seek to hear his voice daily and if He chooses to give me such a word as a theme for a whole year, I am open and trust Him with sensing his voice if He doesn’t. Thanks, Mary!
I love how you wrote about consistency in our walk with God. When we give God the space to work in and through us, He shows up and gives us what we need. A daily closeness with God is the best choice to consider.
“Alignment”… I like that, Mary! I’m looking forward to hearing/reading more in the coming months as to how God is using that word in your life! I don’t have a word this year…yet. My writing has suffered over the last two years+ due to “life”, however, I feel a renewing this January. I’m actually getting excited about what God has in store for me. I’ve got some ideas rattling around in my head and right now I’m praying for God to make those ideas come together into something productive. Ooooh… could that be the word? “Productive”? We’ll see! 😉 Blessings for a great 2021!
I absolutely love knowing that God is staring your heart to renewal. You have such a gift. Life can definitely get in the way, but you are doing God’s work by taking such good care of your family. I can’t wait to see and hear about what God has planned for you.
Thank you, Mary. That means the world to me! It is amazing where God has brought our family over the last few years! He is a ,oracle worker. ❤️
Good morning, friend. I haven’t done a One Word since 2014, for good reason – they never panned out, I was just jumping in to enjoy the party, here today, gone tomorrow.
This year is different, and with a little support and accountability I’d like to think it’ll work.
I knew it couldn’t be burdensome or cumbersome. It had to be light and bring a smile.
It had to be serendipity.
;-}
I always think of you when I write my yearly one word post. I’m surprised to hear you are test driving a word of the year. Have you shared what it is yet?? Is it serendipity?
“One word” testimonies are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing yours, Mary. I’m looking forward to seeing how God uses this revelation in your life this year! Blessings to you!
I agree! I’m looking forward to all God is going to teach me this year.
Staying open to hear His agenda, not mine can be a struggle! And our Father knows best, doesn’t He? 🙂 I look forward to reading more of your journey with alignment this 2021, Mary.
God knows best and knows us best. I’m not sure why I thought that God wouldn’t give me a word this year. I’m grateful He dropped it in my lap so I would know without a doubt that He meant business. 😉
Mary, I so enjoyed this post. I knew “early” what my one word was to be for 2021, but I didn’t want it. I prayed for quite a bit for God to give me a different word, but He kept the word “Prevail” before me until He was not going to change His mind 🙂 It will be interesting to read how your word unfolds in your life over the coming months!
Thank you for sharing that you wrestled with your one word for this year. I know God’s plan is best, but as an imperfect person I tend to question it before accepting it. I will be following along to see how your word plays out, too.
The graciousness of God! I love those moments when He drops a word or a thought into our minds, and we almost think ‘Where did that come from?’
Interestingly I noticed you used ‘position’ and ‘posture’ a lot in your book….so a good word for 2021. Thank you for blessing me again this morning!
Good morning, Mary. I love this testimony of a mic drop moment given by God Himself. As I type, I am praying for God to bless you as He walks you through the alignment journey. I appreciate your transparency and can only imagine He has plans to use your journey to bless others.
Your words of encouragement and prayer mean so much to me. I pray I am open to receiving God’s teaching and willing to share it with others.
It’s good to see you, Sharon. God is so gracious to always provide what we don’t always know we need. I did use the word posture throughout my book as a way for the reader to lean in toward God in a more practical way. I haven’t really thought about the connection between alignment and posture, but now I am intrigued.