Although I'm not much on New Year's resolutions, I do find it helpful to choose a word or phrase of focus for each new year--something in particular to meditate upon and pray about.
As I've contemplated what my focus for 2013 should be, I've listened for God's guidance. Through my reading, prayer, and listening, I think I know what I most desperately need this year.
I need to surrender.
I've always been scrappy. I'll debate, I'll argue, I'll not go down without a fight. And that attribute has served me well in many ways over the years. But I'm realizing that it's also held me back from experiencing some of the riches of God's grace.
I write and speak about grace, about life in the Kingdom of God. But when it comes to my own life, I realize that I need to be more trusting. More certain of God's love and care. More confident in God's provision for me and my loved ones.
There's nothing standing in my way. God has proved himself time and again. But I still need to relinquish my desire to have things my way. I need to rest in the knowledge of the love of God.
God is so kind, so respectful of us. He won't take the throne in our lives; He waits for us to crown him King and then marvel at the goodness of His rule.
So I'm setting my will toward surrender. In the words of J.W. Van De Venter,
All to Jesus I surrender
All to him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him;
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all!
I surrender all!
All to Thee, my blessed Savior--
I surrender all!
What about you? Have you thought of a focus for 2013? Please share!
I'm joining Layla and Kevin at The Lettered Cottage for "This Little Word of Mine"
and Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading.
and Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading.
Excellent words of wisdom! We could want nothing more in the new year than to surrender.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice! My word is INTENTIONAL.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lovebeinganonny.com/2013/01/word-of-year-2013.html
Awesome! Wonderful advice.
ReplyDeleteI love this tradition, Richella! GREAT word! It will be interesting to see where it takes you :) Here's mine: http://soulcarrot.com/2012/12/29/my-word-for-2013/
ReplyDeleteI've never thought about having a word for the year until this year. My word is going to be "happy." I am determined to be happy and find happiness in all things, large and small and allow myself to be happy!
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE your word, surrender. Sometimes we need to step back and surrender and let Him do his will. It's not always easy but it's always for the best!
-april
Wonderful! I love reading about everyone's words, and I'm working on my post. Good luck surrendering this year--that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteRichella- That was one of my very favorite hymns in church when I was young. I can remember a pastor's wife singing it with a contralto voice that sounded like velvet. I used to love to sit next to her when she sang. Great memories here and that is a wonderful choice of a word- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteLove this post Richella, very uplifting and very good advice! Have a great evening.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honesty in sharing Richella. Great word of the year. Blessings, Patti
ReplyDeleteMy word is Hope....a word I am desperately clinging to these days....maybe I should add the word surrender to my list!
ReplyDeletehttp://shutthefridge.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-am-supposed-to-be.html
I love to read your words on Grace. No matter where we are in this walk with God, I believe you express something we all need daily. "Surrender" I can't think of a better word and sadly it's almost counterculture today. I will choose to "Abide", as in Psalm 91.
ReplyDeleteWe sang a praise song with those words in our last church at the close of every service! Words to live by! :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and really appreciate your words.
ReplyDeleteI love that hymn. Beautiful thoughts, Richella. Thank you for your honesty. I've never considered how God is respectful of us. It's shameful how often I take advantage of that. And ultimately, I'm the one who suffers for it. Blessings to you throughout this new year!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good word, and a much needed condition of the heart. I sing that song as a church special! =)
ReplyDeleteI know there are times I've prayed at the altar, and have really thought about the word surrender, and honestly look within to see if I am surrendering my all to Him. I need to do this regularly. When I've truly surrendered, I've always learned that what He has for me is for my best, even tho my flesh doesn't always want to trust that this is true. =)
Have a great weekend!
Oh my goodness, Richella, you surely picked a challenging word. God doesn't force us to surrender. I wonder why it is so difficult to surrender when his way is really best. I'm certain that when you reach December 31st, you're going to look back and see how much you've grown.
ReplyDeleteI think I have my word...will know for sure in a few days.
Your word sounds divine. To simply surrender. Bliss. In fact, I linked up my own word for the year and it was trust. So similar to your own post. Here's to a year of going with the Divine Flow!
ReplyDeleteI love the white flag surrender - it's where we should all begin, surrendering to Him. The rest of the words will follow...and it gives me Hope - which is my word for this year.
ReplyDeleteWords of wisdom. That is all that God requires from us but often it is the hardest thing for us to do.
ReplyDelete