My One Word For 2020
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
Benjamin Franklin
I meet with a group of guys every Friday morning. We call ourselves DIBs which stands for Dudes In the Basement, because we met in someone’s basement the first four years of our existence. We are into year five of a twenty year commitment, and we have a tradition. (After five years, I think it’s safe to call it a tradition.)
Every year around this time, we take turns sharing our word for the new year. We each take 10-15 minutes to share about our new word. Each guy shares why they selected the word and what they expect to experience as a result of this word. It usually takes two or three meetings to get through everyone.
At least once in the middle of the year and then again at the end of the year, we take time again to go through our words for the year. It’s an opportunity to see how God has been working in light of the word we each selected at the beginning of the year. In some cases, it is a chance to provide accountability to one another.
I have found this “tradition” to be extremely beneficial. Choosing a word for the year provides an added sense of purpose and direction for the year. I do not choose my word lightly. I pray about my choice. I seek direction from others in my life including my wife. I want it to be meaningful. I want my word to be helpful as I STRETCH throughout the year.
This gets me to 2020. I’ve heard many people say they are going to use the word “vision” as their word for 2020 – as in 20/20 vision. Get it? This is not the word I choose – although I don’t think it’s wrong to have vision or to have that as your word for 2020.
My Word for 2020
My word for 2020 is blessing – or blessed. I guess that’s really two words.
Why did I select blessing (or blessed)?
2019 had a lot of challenges for me. Without going into detail, I think there may have been times where I allowed those challenges to cloud my view of God’s working in my life. In other words, I too often failed to see God’s blessings in my life – even when I faced challenges of many kinds. I don’t want to be like this. I want to see life with positivity. I want to have a grateful heart. And want to be alert and aware of the blessings in my life.
In addition while I am blessed, I want to make sure I am intentional in being a blessing for others. This could mean a kind word expressed in a conversation, a handwritten note of appreciation, a helping hand, or many other acts of kindness, generosity, and blessing.
Ephesians 5:15-16 and Colossians 4:5-6 both talk about making the most of every opportunity. I want to make sure I make the most of every opportunity to see God’s blessing in my life and to be a blessing to others.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
One way I will be tracking this is my consistently writing down three wins (or three blessings) I have experienced each day. God’s abundant blessings are happening all the time. It’s time for me (and maybe for you) to open my eyes – to see God’s hand in my life.
“Always keep your head up, because if it’s down you won’t be able to see the blessings that have been placed in your life.”
Anonymous