**Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.**
There’s nothing particularly magical about January, but for many of us, the new year marks a new beginning. We get to say goodbye to one year, and hello to something new. The calendar gives us the opportunity to start over.
One way I’ve learned to mark a new season is by prayerfully choosing a word for the year.
Why I have a word for the year
I started this practice of choosing a word for the year a few years ago after reading Robin Jones Gunn’s book Victim of Grace.* At the beginning of each new year, Robin would sit down with her journal and ask God for a word to define the new year.
I’d heard about people claiming a word for the year, but this sounded different. Robin wasn’t just picking a word she wanted, but she asking for God’s word for the year.
Every December I’ve made time to do the same. And the practice has totally changed how I enter each new year and new season.
By asking God to give me a word, I’m handing my year over to Him even before it begins. I’m giving Him the reigns, asking Him to do what He wants. And it’s given me the chance to partner with Him in that work.
This practice has become the way I mark seasons, even more than dates.
NEW THINGS.
HARVEST.
REVIVAL.
BRAVE.
SPACE.
All of them remind me of very specific things the Lord did in my life–ways He brought those words to live in ways I never imagined.
All throughout the Old Testament, God’s people built memorials and altars in places where He showed up and showed off. When God appeared to Abraham and promised him a far away land and descendants, Abraham built an alter. When God appeared to Jacob in a dream, Jacob set up the stone he had used a pillow and named the place Bethel. When Israel finally crossed over to the Promised Land, they piled up twelve stones to serve as a reminder for generations of how God brought them out of slavery.
Asking God for a word for the year invites Him in to bring about His will in our lives and gives us a way to mark the seasons.
Our words become our memorial stones. They serve as a reminder of where we’ve and what God’s done.
How to choose your word for the year
Whether you’ve been developing this practice of choosing a word for the year for years or if this is your first time, here are some tips to help you name this season (and a free workbook too!):
1. Set aside time. Naming a season takes time. It requires looking at where you’ve come and where you want to go. It means quieting you heart long enough to hear how God and what He has to say about this new year. I recommend setting a date, finding a quiet place and just taking your time. Give your heart and soul space to breathe, reflect, dream, and listen. Bring along your Bible, journal, and favorite pen so you can record your thoughts.
2. Invite the Lord into this space. While you can very easily choose a word you want to live out this year, there’s something very intimate and special about asking God for a word. Take time to ask Him to define this season and write down whatever word lands on your heart. It might not make sense now, but enter into conversation about it with the Lord. Ask Him what it means. Tell Him what you hope it means in the coming year. Ask Him to open your eyes to see how He brings that word to life in and around you.
3. Take time to reflect and dream. Often my word for the year flows out of an area where I want to experience growth or change. The best way to get yourself ready to receive whatever word God wants to give you is to get quiet and get honest. How’s your heart? Where do you want to be a year from now? What happened last year that you’d like to see changed and transformed? The answers to these questions might point you to your word.
4. Make it visible. Once you have a word, find some way to display it. I like getting my word engraved on a piece of jewelry or displaying it in artwork. Putting your word in a place you can see it helps you remember and, at least for me, prompts me cling to that word. Let your word serve as a reminder of God’s plans for your life. Let your word be something that draws you closer to Him.
So what do you think? Are you ready to choose a word?
To help you out, I’ve created a free workbook that will walk you through the entire process of reflecting on the previous year or season, dreaming about the year ahead, and finding your word. Click here to download it from my resource library and get started!
Taking the time to invite God into this season and name it will only bring you closer to Him. It will open your eyes to see Him at work in new and specific ways. And in those moments when you see your word coming to life in and around you, it will become one more reminder that God is real, He is present, and He cares so deeply for you.
So, what’s your word?
Live in His love!
*Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Related: Faith Brings Healing
Jazmin – I haven’t had a word the last couple of years. But this year, God chose my word for me. I love it! And I love how you encourage us here to invite Him to do the choosing. I’ve never considered myself BRAVE before. So, I’m excited to see how the Lord uses you to speak this word into my life as well. God bless you!
Deb, that is so exciting! I find this whole word-of-the-year thing much more exciting when God chooses my word. What’s yours?
“Our words become our memorial stones. They serve as a reminder of where we’ve and what God’s done.” Yes, yes, yes! I have been choosing a word for 7 years, but sometimes God chooses the word and waits for me to get on board. Last year my word was Called. This year is Enough. Happy to connect with you through Blessing Bloggers!
That’s so great! I love it! Enough is such a powerful word. I pray that this word speaks life to your heart this year! so glad to meet you, Laura!
Jazmin – I love letting God choose a word each year for me. Years ago I made a practice of sitting down and setting spiritual goals, but now they include a theme based on a word. My word is chosen, however, I always leave room for God to change it throughout the year.
Chosen has been an underlying word of my life for years! I love that you leave the space for God to keep leading you and defining your seasons.