 It is that time of year again. Most of you have already begun to think about what you hope to accomplish in 2023. I certainly have done the same and look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for me. One way I do this is by choosing One Word https://getoneword.com/ on which to focus. As I wrote last year, I think about what my Word will be during the Season of Epiphany. Epiphany means “a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way”  I use the season between Christmas and the manifestation of Jesus https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epiphany to reflect and focus on what I think God wants my focus to be for the coming year. It is different than resolutions. In fact, I use my word to help me make the most out of every moment of every day. The last few years have seen me focus on Prayer, Generosity, Embrace to what I think was my most impactful word last year UNITY. https://thankfulinallthings.com/if-you-focused-on-one-word-in-2022-which-would-you-choose/ So many amazing things happened both personally and professionally because of concentrating on Unity. I am grateful that the last 10 days of the year slow down from a business stand point. Like in the song from Rent, I use it as an opportunity to look back and measure the year https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rentcast/seasonsoflove.html 525,600 minutes 525,000 moments so dear 525,600 minutes How do you measure, measure a year? Brad Caldwell who I hope to meet one day challenged folks this week to not be afraid to look back before you rush to set new goals and make New Year’s resolutions. He asked a legitimate question, “Now that the year is over, would your word be different than the one you set on January 1st? If you had known, “would you have crafted other goals than the ones you so confidently set for yourself for 2022? I have no doubt God provided me an epiphany with the words from previous years and I felt the impact of my Uncompromised Never-ending Intensity Toward Yes (UNITY) this year. I am counting on the same with my word for 2023 as I endeavor to RISE to whatever circumstances come my way. I break down the word this way: Resolved Intentional Serving Expectantly and as I RISE UP/P my actions will be about Unleashing (God’s) Purpose/Passion for my life. Matthew 13:33 says – “The kingdom of Heaven is like a yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” The dough needs to be kneaded so the proteins begin to line up in such a way that strands of gluten develop and create a structure that allows for the trapping of gases and the dough to RISE. I want God to kneed into me the yeast I need to RISE UP/P and be the person He can use for His good pleasure. May I submit my life to Him so in a way that The apostle Paul referred to our bodies as “jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV). To say that we are clay in the hands of the Potter acknowledges God’s handiwork as the Master Potter, or Creator, of our physical body. May it be in 2023. I would love to hear what your One Word is for 2023. I can be reached by email at [email protected]. If you haven’t already, please subscribe so that you can receive email notifications when new content is posted.  |
2 Replies to “Are you ready to RISE UP/P with me in 2023”
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Thank you, Michael.
So much here. A few years ago, my word was husbandry (shout out to Jon Gordon!) as dual focus of husband and stewardship. Trying to slow my pace and focus as I move into 2023 and leverage my past.
On another note, I’d love to get your thoughts on a session for TPC men on Intentional Living (sanctified goal setting) with accountability check-in (quarterly?). Possibly suggest templates.
Bob
I think this would be a great idea. Maybe coordinate with the men’s group effort and either do accountibility or mentor check in’s