Traditionally, as the new year rolls around, my friends and I will ask each other “What’s your word?”
The word we pick is typically an intention we set or a way to summarize our resolutions list for the year ahead. Often times I write my word down in my journal, making notes about what it would look like to be more ___________ or have more __________ in my life.
After a few years of this practice, choosing a word has become a tradition I look forward to. It gives me something to reflect back on over the previous year and something to look forward to when the time to pick a new word arrives.
This year, as I thought on my word; I found myself fumbling to find one that I liked. The days were running out and I’d not yet settled on one that felt right.
Sometimes I think we can get distracted by what we think we need for our lives. We forget that the God of the universe has a plan already mapped out for you and I.
Suddenly, our wheels are spinning and our expectations are set high. Meanwhile, God is looking at us wondering why we don’t ask him for a word from time to time.
Up to this point, it had not occurred to me that I should consider consulting with our all knowing God about my New Year’s word. Historically, any other time I’ve gone to God with a prayer or need for wisdom – I have never been let down by the words he provides.
I was on the tail end of an advent bible study, when I came across part of a letter, written by the apostle Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome. If you don’t know Paul, he is a common figure in the Bible you’ll hear from.
His words are powerful, encouraging, and wise. Who better to listen to than someone who had been transformed, then dedicated his entire life to glorifying God the father and His son Jesus Christ.
In the letter, Paul says,
“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.
Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Ephesians 3:14-19 NLT
Paul reminds us of the unlimited resources God supplies us with that give us strength and empower us throughout our lives.
A chosen word may give us a sense of direction, but choosing to focus on Christ will provide us the sustenance we need to thrive.
So while you may have a word or resolution list you hope to live by in 2026, my prayer is that you let God’s word be a greater part of your life. When you fall short or forget, I pray that you give your troubles over to God and ask him if he has a word he’d suggest.
Let’s make 2026 the BEST year yet.
Makenna Curtis
Local Pulse Community Writer
Holy Moments
