3 Tips to Pick a Meaningful Word of the Year
I am fascinated by John 1:1. That simple sentence holds so much power and wisdom and mystery and truth. But, mostly, I love the acknowledgement that God is the Word.
Words are the rhythm of my heart beat. What I cannot speak, I write. My love language is words of affirmations. I am innately aware of the power words have to both inspire and hurt others. Words are, at the core, everywhere and everything.
Our current culture is enamored with words, too. From the New York Times to local news articles, choosing a word for the year is a compelling reform from the traditional New Year resolutions.
But, why?
The New York Times headlined their article with this statement;
To get the most of 2022, try choosing a word that can help you make thoughtful decisions and nudge you towards positive change.
Local news WDBJ 7 noted that a “single word can be an easier commitment than a resolution.” They further expand that a word of the year “sets intention and general goals for the year.”
A Biblical Twist
I have actively participated in this trend for the last several years, and this year is no different. However, my drive behind this endeavor is rooted in Hebrews 3:12-15.
'Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” '
Sister, I dont know about you, but my rebel heart is so prone to wander and is easily deceived by the things of this world. So, for me, choosing a word for the year is most definitely an act to help me be intentional in my walk with Jesus, to set my intentions on Him, and to nudge me towards maturity in Christ.
Notes
Words I have chosen the last several years have been intentional, content, fearless. The word content started as COMMIT.
I was moving strongly in my intentions for that word (all four weeks of it), until I had to navigate postpartum depression and anxiety. The Lord quickly changed my word from commit, to content.
I needed to humble myself and let go of the things I wanted, and be content with what the Lord wanted for me. I guess it can be argued that I had to commit my contentment to Him.
All that to say, even if you feel you have a solid word choice, keep it in an open hand, allowing the Holy Spirit to adjust and guide you where/when/if needed.
If you’re new to this idea, or want to seek a deeper way to determine what your word should be, here are some ideas to aid in electing your word for the year.
1. Pray about the word
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5
It is so easy to pick a word we think is perfect for the year. But I challenge you to quiet your mind and ask God to reveal to you what/where it is that He is nudging you to intentionally pursue.
Praying about this doesn’t mean that you will automatically or audibly hear God say “Daughter, here is your word.” You might not hear Him at all. But our first measure of deduction should always be to seek Him first.
2. Search the Scriptures for the word
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
1 Chronicles 16:11
So you’ve prayed about a word. Now what? If you feel that God has put a word on your heart, the next step I encourage is to go to the scriptures. You can download the Bible App (or just go to Bible.com) and use their search tool at the top of the page. Enter in your word and see what verses populate. Spend some time in His word and see if something sparks a fire in your soul.
Maybe you acquired your word from a scripture (like me). I still think its a good practice (and dare I say fun) to still do this exercise. When I did this I found several other verses that really spoke to me.
3. Put the word into context
So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
1 Corinthians 7:24
You prayed, you listened, you searched the scriptures; now take a look at all your evidence and determine if the word fits into the context of your life (this is not about the context of scripture – although that is always super important and expected). Does the word align with anything you have been previously praying about, or does it speak to a certain situation you’re currently undertaking? These are great clues to decipher your word for the year.
My word for 2022 is Growth.
I want to grow spiritually, in motherhood, as a wife, daughter, friend, and writer. I want to grow in perseverance, kindness, humility, and grace! I want to grow in discipleship, obedience, and discipline.
I have been cultivating a lot of these things for awhile, and now the Lord is really calling me to step out in faith, trust Him, and GROW. Because when I grow, He gets the glory!
2 Peter 3:18 is the verse that convicted my heart and i instantly knew that my word was GROWTH.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
I was praying diligently and actively asking God to show me where it is He wanted me in this season. I want to seek His will in every little and big aspect of my life. So, hearing this word so clearly, is both incredible and terrifying.
I am so excited to see what this year will look like, and a little nervous for what will transpire along the way.
Ultimately, my hope and my confidence are anchored in the creator of the universe, and I know that no matter what storm may arise, I am going to be ok as I set my intentions, my goals, and my focus on Jesus.
I would love for you to grow with me. Connect with me on social media (@iamanchoredbyhope) and/or join my community below and let me know what word you choose or have already chosen!
EDIT: January 1, 2023
Wow. I wish I could eloquently explain just how much the word GROW was really cultivated in my life in 2022.
- I watched my kids grow – not just in height and character but – in their love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
- Our marriage grew stronger, our rhythms grew steadier, my faith grew in grace and knowledge of who Jesus is.
- My confidence in writing grew as I watched one of my devotionals be published by Proverbs 31 Ministries.
- My trust grew as I let go of Andy and sent him to half day kindergarten.
- Our garden literally grew. Chamomile, Kale, Broccoli, Basil, Lemon Balm, Mint.. my passion for sustainability grew, too. My love of nature and the divine way God orchestrated everything we would need.
- My grief grew. Mike says how much he misses his family with every passing year. I’m starting to miss them, too. And I won’t have the chance to thank them for the amazing son they raised until we are all united in the New Heavens and New Earth. Ive missed my grandma more than ever.
GROW was such an outstandingly pivotal term in 2022 and I could not give God enough glory or be more grateful for the unshakable knowledge that that is the word He led me to as I clicked these keys last year.
EDIT (December 2023)
Word of the Year 2024
I love editing this post and sharing how the Lord used my word for the year.
My word for 2023 was REMEMBER. As the year progressed, I didn’t see this phrase come to fruition as I did with words in the past. I felt more like grow was the term that continued to culminate this year.
This made me realize that just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean you need a new word. Maybe there is something to be learned about reflection and remembering the word of the previous year?
Either way, I am very confident in the way the Lord has been leading me to my term for 2024.. drumroll please..
quiet.
I want to quiet my heart so I can listen to God. This song has been played regularly and my soul cries out in worship with it. I have a feeling it may show up on my top songs of 2024 as I continue to seek to cultivate quiet.
I want to quiet my tongue. I talk too much. Truly. I am aware enough of who I am to boldly proclaim that the last word must always be mine. Instead of seeking to prove my point, I pray I can discern when to fight for my speech and when to quiet my tongue.
I want to experience quiet; peaceful mornings before the kids awake, even if it means waking at 4 am. Quiet submission to my husband and God, not seeking to prove anything to this world or the people in it, quiet the doubt and fear that seek to destroy the calling God has placed on my life.
I must confess, I was shocked when I started searching the scriptures and realized just how much God has to say about quiet. I may conduct a word study sometime this year to dive in more deeply. Make sure to reach out if this is something you’re interested in, too.
So, here are three verses that have really answered my prayer as I sought God’s wisdom, searched the scriptures, and fit quite perfectly into the context of life at the moment;
Zephaniah 3:17
I love that quiet and love are equated here. While simultaneously, loudness is the result of exultation. There is a time for the noise, but cultivating quiet is a gift from God.
Isaiah 32:7
The subtle difference in the use of words for the effect versus the result of righteousness are not lost on me. I pray this year I can cultivate both peace + quiet from growing in righteousness that Christ so freely gives us access to.
1 Peter 3:4
In a culture that is so concerned with appearance and accessories, I appreciate the reminder that – while there is nothing wrong with caring for our complexion and enjoying beautiful things – its the quiet spirit, the unwavering trust and constant communion with Jesus that is most precious to God.
I cannot wait to see the way the Lord works within your heart and in this year. Id love to know what word you choose! Make sure to leave a comment or tag me if you share on social media @iamanchoredbyhope!
Happy New Year, Friends! May you be anchored in the Hope of Jesus in this new chapter!
