No “word of the year” takes the place of Jesus’ constant presence. By His Spirit, He lives in you and guides you in all truth.
A few years ago, the concept of having a word for the year caught my attention. Social media posts began popping up everywhere, highlighting people’s “amazing” words of the year, and it seemed like everyone was receiving a significant message from God - everyone except me.
At first, I worried that I was missing something - that perhaps I wasn’t spiritual enough to receive a special word from the Lord. Then I realized I had all the divine messages I could ever need from Him in the Bible.
Psalm 19:7-9 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.”
Yes, the Lord has pressed specific messages on my heart at various times and ways, but I no longer worry if He doesn’t give me a word for the year. I simply trust that He will lead me by His Spirit and teach me through the Scriptures.
If you’re wondering why God hasn’t given you a specific word for the New Year, take heart. Here are a few important things to keep in mind:
You Know the Voice of the Good Shepherd
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
One of the most comforting assurances we have as Christians is the voice of the Good Shepherd. Jesus leads us in the way we should go, and a stranger’s voice we do not follow. We don’t have to wait for a specific word to follow after Jesus; all we need is to abide in Him, our Good Shepherd.
Whenever you feel left out when others share their word for the year, listen for the Shepherd’s voice. You can trust Him to show you the way to safe pasture. Remember the words of David in Psalm 23:1 when he said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
My friend, with Jesus as your faithful Shepherd, you lack absolutely nothing. No “word of the year” takes the place of Jesus’ constant presence. By His Spirit, He lives in you and guides you in all truth. Be led to quiet pastures and streams of living water. Jesus is the eternal Word who speaks to His sheep as they follow after Him.
Here is more about the Good Shepherd:
3 Comforts Christians Can Draw from the Good Shepherd in John 10
Keeping My Eyes on the Good Shepherd
You Already Know What to Do
Even without a specific word from the Lord, chances are, you already know what to do - am I right?
Before Jesus’ death, He promised the Holy Spirit to counsel and guide believers for all generations. In John 14:26, He said, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Sometimes, when we are too busy waiting for God to speak, we miss out on what He is already saying. In fact, we might begin to use “waiting on the Lord” as an excuse to do nothing. I’ve done this myself and it only leads to feelings of complacency and discontent.
Remember Paul’s words from Ephesians 2:10 when he said, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
From the moment God created you, you had a divine purpose in Christ Jesus, and His purpose remains with you no matter what season you’re in. Prayerfully step into the calling God has prepared in advance for you. Don’t get caught up in the waiting and ignore what God has already commissioned you to do.
Here are a few helpful resources for stepping into your God-given calling:
What Is God's Calling for My Life?
A Prayer for Those Seeking God’s Calling on Their Lives
10 Prayers for Finding Your Purpose
You Can Choose Your Word for the Year
Who says you can’t choose your word for the year? In this post, titled 3 Powerful Benefits of Choosing a Word for the Year, writer Kathryn Graves says, “A commitment to follow a word and obey it is something God honors. He delights in leading us with breadcrumbs toward a spiritual prize. He drops hints and bits of hope in front of us. As we examine each one, we internalize a new truth. This leads us toward the next crumb, and so on.”
Her idea of choosing a word, while also committing it to God, could be a good way for you to move forward in the coming year. Pray and ask the Lord to guide you, trusting that He will bring to light anything that needs to be considered. Perhaps, you can focus on a passage of Scripture to memorize. Or, maybe you can set a God-honoring goal for your work or personal life. Whatever you decide to do, commit your ways to the Lord and watch your plans be established (Proverbs 16:3).
Be proactive this year and choose a word that aligns with Scripture, benefits those around you, and helps you grow in faith and life. Here are a couple of posts to help you choose your word for the year:
4 Simple Tips for Choosing a Word of the Year
5 Reasons Choosing One Word Is Better Than New Year’s Resolutions
You Have the Entire Bible
If you’ve ever received a heart-pressing message from the Lord, it is both powerful and wonderful. To think that the God of all creation cares so much about you that He is willing to speak into your life is nothing short of miraculous.
However, let’s not forget that we already have the entire Word of God that speaks to us each and every day. As we spend time in the Scriptures, learning more about His character and His will for our lives, the powerful words of the Bible leap off the page and convict our hearts of amazing truths.
If you don’t hear a specific word this year, don’t let it stop you from seeking God’s wisdom. He promises to give you knowledge and understanding when you ask. “For the Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
Receive His promises with joyful hope for tomorrow; His truth is available to you at all times. You are not excluded from God’s voice or left out of His purpose. Quite simply, your word for the year might be “Jesus.” For He is The Living Word, the Great I AM, and the Good Shepherd. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a more beautiful word to follow.
More resources for your journey:
"I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
How Is Jesus "The Word"? (John 1:1)
“In the Beginning Was the Word” - What does this Verse Tell Us about God?
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