This is my 5th year doing 1 Word for 1 Year. Each year the process of deciding on a word has been a bit different. If you want to read about how each word was chosen each year, you can find those posts here.
This year my word came quickly and unexpectedly. It was early December and I realized I hadn’t yet thought about a word for 2021. I made a mental note to start paying attention and within a week I knew my word was “behold”.
If you’re not sure yet of your word, don’t panic! There’s still plenty of time to figure it out (and keep reading for some help with the process of getting started!). One year I was well in to January before I knew my word.
Behold
When I first came across the word behold, it seemed like a rather odd word. It’s not one we use much these days, but once I read the definition, I knew it was the one!
Last year I was challenged to consider what I turned to when I was bored, disappointed, hurt, or in need of distraction. It helped me identify just how often I fix my eyes and my heart on things that can never help or satisfy.
This year, I want to be more aware and intentional about turning my gaze to Jesus – to fix my eyes and my heart on him – day by day and moment by moment. I want to run to him for what I need. He has everything I could ever need AND offers it freely!
I also want to lift my eyes from the circumstances of life that bring fear and concern and turn them instead to Christ for “that’s where the action is” according to Colossians 3:1-2.
With all the craziness in the world right now, this seems like the perfect year to practice looking to God, alert for how he is at work, instead of absorbed with everything going on around me.
Focus for the Year
I like to choose areas of focus related to my word each year. It helps me dive into practical applications of the word related to various areas of life.
So far, I can identify two areas where I want to integrate the word behold.
- Into my relationship with God – fixing my gaze upon him, adoring him, turning my attention on to him
- Into my relationship with those closest to me – seeing them with my attention (and not distraction), observing them with care, attending to them and their needs
I don’t really know what this will look like along the way or how my life will look at the end of this year, and that’s ok. God has much to teach me in these areas of focus and others I’m not aware of yet. Doing One Word for One Year is less about what I’m trying to accomplish and more about trying to cooperate with what God wants to do in me in every area of my life.
I also have a theme song of sorts for this year. I listened to it in early January and loved how it filled me with hope and anticipation of what God might do as I stay with my eyes beholding him this year. I hope you’ll give it a listen. I think it will encourage your heart too.
Stay by This Hope
What if we looked after Him
Till everyone turned to see what we see
What if we drank from the fountain till we overflowed
What if we basked in His presence
Till we came out drenched in the fragrance of God
What if wait, what if we stayed so close
Would we see giants fall
Walls come down
Mountains be moved
Lives turned around
Rest for the weary
Peace in the storm
Would we see His glory
Would we see our Lord
If we stayed
What if we stayed
What if we entered the throne room
And stayed on our face till we heard from the King
What if we followed unswerving to places unknown
What if we asked for His presence
And turned from the trappings that pull us away
What if we wait what if we stayed so close
Stay till we taste of His goodness
Stay till He helps us to fear
Stay till the fear turns to wisdom
Stay till it’s Him we adore
What about you?
Are you planning to do One Word for One Year this year? If so, I’d love to hear what your word is! I’d also love to send you a PDF print of your word and definition to use this year. Comment below, or send me an email.
If you’d like some guidance on choosing a word and getting started, check out my FREE 7-day email course.
Each day for seven days an email will arrive in your inbox helping you take practical steps towards getting started with your One Word for One Year. Move through them at your own pace!
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This was such a blessing. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I want to behold Him this year, too.
So glad God used it to encourage your heart. Thanks for the encouragement!