Bye New Year's Resolutions. Hello Freedom.
I love stepping into a new year because of all the possibilities it brings. Once midnight strikes and the fireworks go off, I’m already thinking about everything I want to accomplish within that year. A new year means a new me...right?
Wrong. The past goals I had set placed such high expectations on myself, that I was bound to fail. Like most people (major props if you can stick to your New Year’s resolutions), I ended up quitting and going back to my usual way of living. I felt defeated, thinking I did not have enough discipline to see those goals through.
Last new year, I decided enough was enough. Instead of setting goals, I took DaySpring’s fun little quiz (link below) to get a word for the year. At first, this word seemed like something nice to pin up on my wall or to use as wallpaper on my phone. However, I did not realize the effect it would have on my life. This word showed up everywhere whether I was seeking it out or not.
Having a word for the year does not mean you have to stop setting goals. I still believe goals are important to becoming everything God has created you to be. However, having a word for the year rewires your mind and heart. It gives you an extraordinary opportunity to live with complete freedom!
Here are 3 key reasons it brings freedom to your life:
Your reliance is on God. There is a freedom that comes with having a word of the year because it is less about pursuing your desires and more about pursuing God in everything you do. You are no longer striving to accomplish things in your own strength. Rather, you are using your word as a focal point and relying on God to use your circumstances to mold you into His likeness. When tackling a goal, ask God to bring opportunities that will push you closer to your word rather than focusing on reaching the end destination. This journey with God is a beautiful process that will take the focus off of yourself and redirect it towards Him and His plans for your life.
You are no longer left feeling defeated. Your word will take you on a journey of sanctification with God. Sure, I want to be transformed completely into the image of God by the end of 2021. But is that realistic? No. We will never reach perfection and there will always be room for growth. By the end of 2021, if I can look back and confidently say I earnestly sought God in everything I did to be transformed into His likeness, then I would count this as a successful year. “Defeated” and “failure” are not in God’s vocabulary. So no matter what your life looks like at the end of this year, know that God will use every part of your journey for His glory!
Words cover multiple areas of your life. Instead of being restricted by the confines of your goals, your word could unlock many new and exciting possibilities. My word for this year applies to many areas of my life such as faith, health, insecurities, and passions. When reflecting on your word with God, ask Him to show you specifically what areas of your life need to be touched by it. From there, dive in deeper with Him by journaling all of your excitement and fears towards your word. Be vulnerable with Him and in a year from now, you will see how He worked in your life in a multitude of ways!
Remember, this isn’t about the destination. It’s about using your word as a guide so your life is constantly being filled with His presence. I’m praying your word for this year unlocks a beautiful and intimate journey with God. May your word excite you and give you complete joy and freedom!
* If you do not have a word for the year yet, check out DaySpring’s quiz to find yours today! https://www.dayspring.com/yourwordquiz#/home