I like to ask people to choose five favorite words that they like to say, think about, or feel attracted to. Then I ask them to review their list and choose their most favorite one.
Over the years, I’ve seen that our “favorite words” can offer us a clue as to what we need in order to become the spiritually mature, whole, and fulfilled person God planned for us to be.
Here are some words that my friends are choosing this year: grace, joy, love, responsibility, presence, peace, repentance, balance, unfolding, beautiful, transparency, humble, kind, respectful, movement, wholeness, and healthy. I chose contentment as my favorite word.
Now you choose five words that you are currently attracted to. Then consider which word is your favorite. After you chose your favorite word, think about what you can do to make it become a reality in your life.
How do you want your “favorite word” to help define 2018 for you?
Suggestions To Help You Actualize Your Word
“By actualize” I mean that you interact with your word so that it goes deep within you, impacts your daily life, and becomes a reality in your heart. Select ideas from this list and begin to work with them.
- What does your “favorite word” mean to you?
- Complete this sentence: I chose this word because …
- Search for Scripture verses that relate to your word.
- Select a Scripture to speak aloud to yourself.
- Find a picture of something to help you visualize your word and place it where you can see it throughout the day.
- Draw a picture of your word.
- Express your word symbolically: peace is like …
- Choose a physical movement to dramatize your word.
- Choose an object in your home as a reminder of your word.
- Meditate on your word, allowing your heart to be touched by it.
- Write a prayer, asking God to enable you to experience the reality of this word.
- What choices can you make to help you experience your word?
- Write a letter to yourself, explaining why this word is so important to you.
- Can you visualize yourself experiencing the reality of this word?
- How will you know when your favorite word for 2018 has become a part of of you?
Scriptures Related To My Favorite Word
Since my favorite word is “contentment”, I decided to see what the Bible says about it and what it means in the Greek. In Hebrew. 13:5, to “be content” is a verb and means to raise a barrier, to ward off, to avail.
In Philippians 4:11, Paul says: “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Here be content means self-sufficient, self-complacent.
In I Timothy 6:6, 8, Paul says that godliness alone is not a means of great gain, unless it is accompanied by “contentment”. Here the Greek word for contentment refers to self-satisfaction.
So it seems that contentment is not simply a passive state of peaceful happiness, but rather a result of something I intentionally have done and am satisfied with. Now I understand why contentment is currently my favorite word.
Contentment With New Logo
About 20 years ago I had the desire for a logo that would symbolize the nature of the ministry God called me to. I even hired several people to come up with conceptual designs, but I never used them because they didn’t resonate in my heart.
Then a few months ago, the concept for my logo was formed. I wanted it to express four realities: the love of God in our heart; the power of the cross; the blossoming of a life; and the individual believer who speaks a word of testimony about our Lord; i.e, my initials, JD.
Today as I look at my logo, I am satisfied with the creative actions I’ve taken. And now I can look forward to new moments of contentment in 2018.
I invite you to share your five favorite words in the comment section!
Authority
Thanks Mary. It was lovely to see you last week. Are you thinking of spiritual authority?