The 2018 Word

How are your New Year’s resolutions coming?

We are one month in and many people have already ditched their goals. The gyms are getting empty. Sales of junk food are back up because in the United States we have the Super Bowl, which has almost become a national holiday.

Setting all the resolutions aside, what if we chose one word, instead of the long list of things which we didn’t really want to do anyway? Or maybe we did want to accomplish those things, but didn’t know how.

I have a challenge for you. Think of one word.

One word to focus on in 2018. It could be trust or love or blessed or forgiveness or whatever is the one word that you believe will sum up what you want to feel for 2018. Notice I didn’t say accomplish. We’ve put so much emphasis on accomplishments, on getting things done and items checked off the “To Do” list instead of how we want to feel.

What if we let go of what we think we should be doing and just be? Psalm 46:10, (NLT) says, “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Another translation of Psalm 46:10 (NASB) says, “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

What if we just sat with our God? Listened to what He wants our word of the year to be? I recently wrote a post on thriving instead of striving. We are called to stop our striving. Choosing one word helps us stop striving because it creates simplicity. A single point of focus.

For example, my word for 2018 is: Radical

It’s kind of weird word, I admit. It came to me during my quiet time. But the word wasn’t just radical. It came to me with words after it:

• Radical Faith
• Radical Peace
• Radical Adventure
• Radical Love
• Radical Fun

In my mind, it was God’s way of saying He wants me to step out of my comfort zone in radical ways. There is a saying, change never happens in our comfort zone. I’m not sure who to credit for it, but the statement is true.

I need radical for my 2018 to kick me out of my comfort zone instead of settling for what’s good enough. I want God’s best, which for me means, I need to get radical.

It seems 2018 is already passing by me in a flash. The goals I created only a few short weeks ago are slowly moving toward fruition. Even though my word for the year is radical, this doesn’t mean I’m going wild.

For me, this means radical faith. Stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something new to achieve the goals God has laid out before me.

It also means, radical peace. A peace in the midst of the chaos where I can be an example of what a relationship with God truly means. It means peace in the middle of impossible circumstances, circumstances that can crush our soul.

Until, I invite a radical, heavenly perspective into the situation. I believe God has a plan for me. He has a plan for you, too.

This year, it’s about being radical.

What’s your word for 2018? Share it in the comments below to encourage others.