Someone said yesterday, “If you never make a resolution, you won’t break it.” True … so what do you do for New Year’s?

Make resolutions? (and if you do, how long do they last?)

Choose a scripture, or a word, for the year? (Like “courage,” “wait,” “rest,” or “kind.”)

I haven’t made specific resolutions in years, knowing they are often made on a whim–lose weight, spend more time with God, travel more, say yes to less–and don’t have the spiritual or emotional muscle to continue as real goals or objectives that are attainable and measurable.

But this year I’m thinking of choosing a word.

Praying, listening for what that word might be. Where do I need to focus? What word might God put on my heart to hold my attention?

I love what I read in Sarah Young’s JESUS TODAY:

Gaze at Me; glance at problems–this is the secret of living victoriously. Your tendency is to gaze at problems for prolonged periods of time, glancing at Me for help. This is natural for someone with a fallen mind living in a fallen world…

…Ask My Spirit to help you fix your gaze on Me. Invite Him to alert you whenever you get overly focused on problems so you can redirect your attention to Me. This is hard work, because it is not only unnatural but also counter-cultural…Ask Him to help you deal with difficulties as needed, while reserving the bulk of your attention for Me–your constant Companion.”

Jesus Today, p. 58

Maybe “Gaze” will be my word. Not sure yet. But I need to do this in deeper ways as I tend to get frustrated easily, discouraged readily. I need to gaze at Jesus, rely on Him in new ways, allow His Spirit to work through me. I’ll keep you posted.

Do you have a word for the year? Would you share it with me?

Blessings!

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2