This year will be the tenth year I’ve chosen a “Word of the Year.” This has meant so much to me; it’s been hugely impactful in my life every year. I thought before announcing my new word I would give a review of all the previous ones. It’s almost like God gave them to me in a sequential order, with each one building upon the previous one. Often, I would see several of my words in a single passage (as you’ll see below).
2009 — Hold
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. –Hebrews 10:23
He is before all things; in Him all things hold together. –Col. 1:17
2010 — Way
For the ways of the Lord are right. –Hosea 14:9
You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of Your presence. –Acts 2:28
2011 — Trust
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. –John 14:1
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. –Hebrews 10:23-24
2012 – Refuge
In Thee O LORD, do I seek refuge; let me never be put to shame; in thy righteousness deliver me! Incline thy ear to me, rescue me speedily! Be thou a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! –Psalm 31:1-2
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. –Psalm 118:8-9
2013 – Journey
When our days there were ended, we departed and went on a journey. –Acts Acts 21:4
The angel of the Lord came a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, or the journey will be too much for you. –1 Kings 19:7
2014 – Presence
But now, by giving Himself completely at the cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in His presence. –Colossians 1:22
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your hand will lay hold of me. –Psalm 119:7-9
2015 – Pain
I know all about their pain. And now I have come down to help them. –Exodus 3:7-8
He took our suffering on Him and felt our pain for us. –Isaiah 53:4
2016 – Worship
I was caught up at once in deep worship. –Revelation 4:2
The best preparation for worship is not rehearsal, but surrender. –A. W. Tozer
2017 – Cast
Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you. –1 Peter 5:7
The twenty-four elders will fall down before Him, who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created. –Rev. 4:10-11
Truly these words have been a huge help to me in my life. God speaks personally through words, images, messages, situations, difficulties. It’s been really powerful to see each of these words work in my life. The lessons from them have been progressive. I had to hold onto Him more deeply before I could understand His ways; then I was in a position to start trusting Him more once I understood Him better. I found myself in a safe refuge of protection but the next thing you know, I was on a journey of more discovery. I sought to be more aware of His presence, especially in times of emotional and physical pain. The result was that I began to worship Him in all situations as I learned to cast all anxieties and concerns upon Him. The next post will reveal my new word for 2018.
Sheep Droppings 