What are your aspirations for 2019?

It’s now the end of January and statistics reveal that most people are only days away from losing their motivation to live out the good, intentional goals they set for themselves.

Have you already waned in your motivation to finish well?

To stay strong, I find encouragement in having a word for the year. It’s a word that’s full of personal meaning that keeps me grounded when the struggle confronts me.

We do not know what experiences we will have throughout the year, but we are sure to have
trials (James 1:2). Knowing this to be true it’s wise to have something we can go to and use as an anchor.

My word for 2018 was the acronym R.E.S.T. It proved to keep me grounded the entire year as I
went through many trials and a significant transition.

My anchor word for 2019 is GROW. It is drawn from three powerful scriptures.

• “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.” (2 Peter 3:18 NASB)

• “Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” (Colossians 1:10 NLT)

• “Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:7 NLT)

What does the word GROW mean to me?

I desire to:

  • Grow to know Him better and love Him more.

  • Grow fruit that pleases Him.

  • Grow my roots to tap into the heart of God extending my faith beyond my limitations.

  • Grow in courage and boldness with each step of my calling in ministry.

  • Grow my list of trusted truths I know about God.

  • Grow more into the image of God.

As I mentioned earlier, there is so much personal meaning packed into this word! It’s too much to unpack here.

How will my word help me?

I’m confident that this word will help me press in when I want to grow lazy or give up. It will remind me that my commitment is to God and to honor Him in all I do. It will propel me to embrace growing pains as I mature in my calling. It will remind me that to grow I must also be pruned. It will stir up within me a resolve to stay grounded when the struggles bear down on me.

Now that you have an idea of what it looks like to have a word anchor you throughout the year, what is your word?

What does it mean to you?

When God is behind our word for the year, He is faithful to bring it to memory when needed and will use it to strengthen us for our journey.

Let’s not become part of the statistics that reveal giving up before the year gets started well. Instead, let’s press in because I am sure God, who began a good work within us, will continue His work until it is completed on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6).

I would love to hear from you!

Share your word in the comment section below, and if you are comfortable share what it means to you.

To review my 5 part series of what my 2018 word, R.E.S.T., meant to me click here.