“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
For the past few years, I’ve changed my approach to the year ahead. It started because of one of my favorite pastors, Mark Batterson.
It was through him I first heard of having one word to encapsulate the year ahead. One word that he focus’s on for the entire year and uses it as a way to grow personally as well as spiritually. I have adopted the practice into my own life.
I have a threefold approach to the New Year. I have a verse, a word and then goals. I pray over what they will be as the New Year approach’s. I write them down and post them all over the place so I am mindful of what they are. Over the next few days, I’ll share my 2018 plan with you.
First, let me recap 2017:
Verse: Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Word: Trust
Goals:
Spiritual: Go on a mission trip
Physical: Do some type of exercise class twice a week
Financial: Pay off Prius
As you can see, they are all quantifiable and realistic. Something I can look back at the end of the year and see how I’ve grown. I did go on my first mission trip in March to El Salvador. It was amazing. I did grow spiritually by the experience in so many ways. I can’t wait to do another one.
I have been able to add in two exercise classes a week to my life. For the first part of the year it was Body Flow, a mixture of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. Then it was Boot Camp this summer. Currently it’s Hot Yoga which I’ve been doing three times a week. As a result, I did lose some weight and my blood work was better than the year before, my doctor was very pleased!
The Prius is now paid off. We paid it off in March. Praise God.
That’s how it works. That’s what I try to do. I am now in the process of planning my 2018. I thought for an extra measure of accountability, I’d share the process with you.
Let’s talk about the verse for 2018 today, in the next couple of days I’ll talk about the word and my goals.
I started asking God last week in my quiet time what my word for 2018 would be. I like to be in His will, I figure He knows what He wants to work on in me, so best to go directly to the source. He gave it to me on Sunday. Immediately after He gave me the verse.
My verse for 2018 is Proverbs 16:3:
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
I’ve highlighted it in my Bible. I’ve dated it and written the word for 2018 beside it as well.
Now I am starting to pray the verse. I’m asking God what He wants me to learn from it? How does He want me to use it in my life? What does it mean to me?
I’m meditating over it. As I do, I’m starting to formulate my goals for 2018 from it. I have no idea yet what they are, but when I know, you’ll know.
At the end of this process I will write them down. I will take a picture of them and make it the screen saver on my phone. Then I will constantly be reminded of what I’m workin on in 2018. God willing, this time next year I will be able to tell you how it affected my life. How I’ve grown. What God taught me.
What is your verse for 2018? Now’s a good time to stop and ask God. I’m sure He has one for you, and you’ll know, without a doubt, what it is.
Verse of the Year
