A New Word for the New Year

Well, let me among the last to wish you a happy new year! We’re well into the new year now, so how are you doing with those resolutions? Does anybody still make those? I can think of a lot of reasons not to make a resolution, not the least of which is because most people don’t keep them! In fact, the second Friday in January has become known as “Quitter’s Friday” because that is the day most people give up on their new year’s resolution! So, if you’re still hanging in there with that resolution, congratulations!

The reality is most people have given up on even making a resolution, knowing they forget about it or quit on it anyway. Some have opted instead for a key word to focus on in the new year. Have you tried this?

The idea is that you pick one word that encompasses how you want to approach the year ahead. My wife Lori started dragging a bunch of items from the shed and garage last week for me to take to the dump. I thought her word for the new year was “purge.” She said that’s not going to be her word though; she’s leaning toward “order” because she wants get her house in order in the new year ahead! I have a feeling I’m going to be expected to do my share of that around the house too.

If you haven’t chosen a word for the new year, it’s not too late! Honestly, I think it would be hard to choose just one word; you may want to choose two or three. I can think of some really good words to consider, and I’m sure you can too! Thinking of a word with a faith component is a great idea for a Christ-Follower. Here are a few to consider.

Connect - Building one or two authentic relationships is a great idea for the new year! Most people have a lot of surface level relationships, but far fewer have any significant friendships. What about taking the time to forge a solid friendship or two in the new year ahead for encouragement and accountability? (Prov. 18:24)

Discipline - Developing discipline in key areas of life “produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Heb 12:11). Practicing self-discipline can lead to rewards physically, emotionally and spiritually!

Grace - Offering grace to others can spare us excessive anxiety and lingering bitterness in life. Grace involves showing unmerited favor to another. It’s offering what is undeserved. In Christ, God has offered you and me His amazing grace. (Eph. 2:8-9) Why not show more grace in the new year ahead?

Humility - Deciding to be more like Christ in this way is always a great idea; Jesus modeled humility in every way! (Matt. 11:29;23:12) There is something really attractive about humble people. What would embracing humility look like for you in the new year?

Kindness - Making a decision to treat others kindly in every way, every day could change your life. Kindness, compassion and forgiveness are closely aligned in the Bible. (Eph. 4:32). How would your life look if kindness was your word in the year ahead?
Surrender - Allowing the Lord to lead you in every area of your life, seeking His will and His way above your own desires and plans will change your life! I love these words captured in Job about surrendering to the Lord and the promise that follows:

13 “Yet if you devote your heart to him

and stretch out your hands to him,

14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand

and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,

15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;

you will stand firm and without fear.

16 You will surely forget your trouble,

recalling it only as waters gone by.

17 Life will be brighter than noonday,

and darkness will become like morning.

18 You will be secure, because there is hope;

Job 11:13-18a

Choosing a word or two to focus on in the new year is not a bad idea. But no matter what you choose, I encourage you to make digging Into God’s Word daily for insight and direction a priority in the new year!