by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Since today is New Year's Eve, I thought I'd share my One Word for 2015.
I’ve long since
given up making New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I use this time to allow God
to redirect my steps onto the path He has for me. I’d like to take today to
share how I go about that.
I began this
process in 1996 when, at the urging of several godly friends, I began asking
God for a verse to guide my steps during the coming year. He faithfully
supplied that first verse and has done so every year since.
I’ve loved the
practice of searching out His will, and it’s become a sweet time of fellowship
as I listen for His voice. Then, in 2012, a new friend suggested I also ask Him
to supply a single word for the coming year. (Thank you, Beth Vogt.) I did, and again the process
added depth to my relationship with God.
This year I,
after much prayer, I’ve chosen the word Yoke. This word encapsulates what it
means to stay close to Jesus, and is amplified by Matthew 11:30.
I
did some deeper study into this verse, and I’d like to share with you what I’ve been reminded of about Jesus’ yoke
and the rest He has for me. There are three applications I’ve found from these
verses.
- First, our yoke is personal. In biblical times the yoke of an ox was made from wood. It was hand carved—especially for that particular animal. It wasn’t interchangeable between animals.
- Second, our yoke is a partnership. A young, untrained ox was paired with a more mature ox that could guide and teach the young one and make his work easier.
- Finally, our yoke is perfectly fair and just. The word Yoke has the same Greek root word as the balance on a scale.
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLE
Indeed … I’m choosing indeed. Here’s why:
ReplyDeleteExodus 3:7 God sees us and our blights
Psalms 85:12 God promises good things
Psalms 121:4 God promises protection
Proverbs 2:3 God promises wisdom
Luke 12:7 Jesus stresses our value
John 4:14 Jesus promises eternal life
John 8:36 Jesus promises freedom
Good things wait for us in 2015 ... indeed!
Robin, I love this! Thanks so much for sharing, Blessings, E
DeleteMy word for 2015 is Overcoming and my verse is, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
ReplyDeleteI've tried so hard to do things in my own power and it doesn't work. So this year, I'm stepping back and allowing him to overcome.
Happy New Year, Edie!
Angie, I've so been there - trying to do everything in my own power. Love this word! Thanks so much for stopping by, Blessings, E
DeleteMy word(s) choose joy!
ReplyDeleteDiAnn, very cool! Thank you for sharing, Blessings, E
DeleteI have chosen the word *Strength*. I chose it because I need God's strength to stay on a restrirtive diet the rest of my life. "The joy of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10.
ReplyDeleteI love this! Thank you for stopping by, Blessings, E
DeleteGreat choice, Edie. I think mine is revise.
ReplyDeleteKim, what a great word for a writer! Thanks for sharing, Blessings, E
DeleteMy word for 2015 is STILLNESS. My 'unword" is UNTRUE. My blog post about them will be up Jan. 1. Fun practice to do each year.
ReplyDeleteJean, I love that - an unword. Thank you for stopping by, Blessings, E
DeleteGrace. The ability to give it and receive it...
ReplyDeleteJennifer, so awesome! Thank you for sharing, Blessings, E
DeleteSuch a rich word, Edie. I love it! Mine is SIMPLE. Which is really the opposite of how I see myself, but I want to learn to K.I.S.S. Keep it Simple Sweetheart. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings. Love your blog.
Julie, that's a great word. And one I need to remember! Thanks for stopping by, Blessings, E
DeleteMine is FOCUS. As a writer and editor, I find myself getting pulled in too many directions too much of the time. Trying to juggle deadlines and meet everyone else's expectations, while doing everything else I need to do, makes me feel like I'm always multi-tasking and unable to focus on any one project at a time. My husband just suggested taking a vacation in two weeks (which we haven't done in two years) and now I'm frantically trying to figure out how to incorporate that into my schedule. :) Thanks, Edie and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, that is a struggle for so many of us! Love your word. Thanks for sharing, Blessings, E
DeleteI was surprised when God gave me the word 'DIG' for 2015. As I've begun to unravel a bit of it and unearth a small portion of the potential it holds I am more excited about it. Dig in. Dig up. Dig deep. Dig to plant. Dig it. Dig-nity. Dig-ital. Dig to bury. Dig! I rambled on about it on my blog here: http://tbds.blogspot.com/2014/12/can-ya-dig-it.html
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!
Trayc, I love your word! Then, when I went to your blog to read about how it came to you, I LOVE it even more! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your story, Blessings, E
DeleteFAITH (for the vision I have been given), FOCUS (on the steps I need to take and not get distracted) and FINISH (because that is where I struggle!) So, three words.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, love these! Thanks so much for sharing them with us, Blessings, E
DeleteFULLNESS - and it comes with three Scriptures, all of which are fairly long, so I'll share the shortest one here:
ReplyDeleteYou show me the path of life;
In Your presence is FULLNESS of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
I am looking forward to what God has in store for 2015 with the anticipation a child would feel at Christmas. :)
Alycia, I love that! Thanks so much for sharing your heart, Blessings, E
DeleteDear Edie, I went to bed last night thanking the Lord for YOU! And all the women who responded to your post stirred my heart because they were women seeking God. My Word was rest...rest in His love. The Lord gave me 2 scriptures. Fabulous post! Stellar! God bless YOU for your faithfulness!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of picking a word for the year. Just last week, God highlighted a verse for me: "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him." Lamentations 3:25, NKJV Of all places, it's in Lamentations. So I believe the word for me, if I had to pick on the spot, is "seek." I never want to stop seeking God. There are some major things I'm waiting for this year. But I don't want to focus on those things; I want to keep my focus on God and enjoy the journey with Him. He has taught me a lot over the past year, especially because I was willing to take things to Him and be still before Him. So, seek. Thank you for your post, and God bless you as you seek Him and His yoke. Can't wait to see what 2015 holds!
ReplyDeleteMy word for 2015 is Go! For far too long--maybe even most of my life--I've let things happen to me instead of being proactive and really living my life. I want to change that in 2015!
ReplyDeleteMine is STEPS. The Lord is showing me "one step at a time" trusting Him as He leads, personally, spiritually and in my writing. Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. This tells me to plan and set goals, then trust Him to direct my steps in getting me there.
ReplyDeleteEdie, this morning God revealed my word for 2015. I offered up four different (but related) words in prayer, and in true Holy Spirit fashion, He picked a word I'd never thought of which encapsulates the four words I had considered. My word for this year is RESTORATION (of direction, identity, hope, and resources).
ReplyDeleteMy word, warfare; Ephesians 6:12. I am working on a book about spiritual warfare in relationships. Learning a whole lot right here at home :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Edie, Happy New Year! My word for 2015 is Positivity. I have a tendency to focus on the negative - about myself, my writing, etc. The Lord brought to my mind Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." God wants be to be light, and I can't be if I'm a negative person. Thanks for your positive posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Edie, for such a wonderful idea! I have chosen the word "Trust". I have had so many doubts about my writing. My husband keeps telling me I need to step out in faith. I know I just have to trust God that He knows the plans He has for me. Trust Him that the things I write are within His will. Trust the gift He has given me. Trust that I will do that which He would have me do. And I need to trust that I am where He has planted me...where I am supposed to be at this stage of my life. Thank you, again! I still have not figured out how to post here, but I will trust that that this will make it to you! Debbie DuPree Williams
ReplyDelete