During the message, the leader put on the challenge to not only think about those improvements and resolutions, but to come up with a word that is going to be kind of like your motto for the year. The pastor gave examples to use words like the fruits of the spirit (love, peace, joy, etc.) or encouraged us to come up with our own and a bible verse for the year.
So, after contemplating the whole "find your word" thing for about a week I finally decided (well God decided) what I wanted my word to be for the year.
New
After sharing with my switch girls my word, they didn't seem to really understand why I would pick "new" as my word signifying growth or improvement for the upcoming year.
I picked new because I felt like in the year before I was almost held down with burdens from my past. Failed relationships, petty fights with friends, drama, and even my relationship with the Lord. I think a lot of people get so caught up in the worldy things in life and forget that we have a God that placed us here on Earth at this particular time to do the things HE has in store for us.
Even though I fail, I am made new
Even though I sin, I am made new
I am looking to the future with a new understanding and a new vision. God has placed new people in my life for a reason and taken out the old for a reason as well. God says hey- I gave you the body, the personality, the everything you have so why are you looking down on yourself? Have a new image of yourself this year. Be strong. Be happy and healthy. Have a new mindset.
Through the death of Jesus Christ I am made new daily and I think that's something we should all keep on our hearts.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" Ezekiel 36:26
