Choose Your Word! A New Year’s Practice for a Life of SurrenderSample

A core life focus is not an unbiblical practice. Although the lawyer of Matthew 22:36 was (con)testing Jesus, his need for simplicity, priority, and clarity for intensity, activity, and tenacity may have partially driven his query. I’ll paraphrase his question: “Yes, the foundational 10 commandments summarize the 613 commandments of the Old Testament, but what, Teacher, is the foremost among all?” He is essentially asking, “What is crucial to affect, even effect, all the others?” We also see the apostle Paul speak about his central focus: “this one thing …” (Philippians 3:13b NLT).

Here is a suggested annual process to saturate your mind with prayerful thought as you choose your WAVFTY-AB.

• As you read Scripture, what biblical-theological-spiritual truth comes alive? Comforts you? Confronts you? In my own experience, devotional times regularly pulsate with recurring, related themes as God’s Spirit meets me in His Word.
• Turn any repeated themes into one word associated with that biblical passage. Be careful about the context and theology of each text verse, since one can use Scripture for anything one wants to prove!
• Display that word and verse in every visible place for constant reminder: phone screen, sticky notes, 3x5 cards, the mirror, wherever. Share it with a spouse, family, colleagues—whoever will benefit (and benefit you, too) by knowing.

A caution: do not compare this important activity to “fortune cookie” superstition. A passage of Scripture becomes quite significant because you providentially (not by chance) fall upon it and immerse yourself in it. The verse becomes vital for your spiritual life, relationships, and work.

For example, a couple of years ago, Multiplying (Acts 12:24) was our organizational WAVFTY. My personal word and theme verse one year was Presence (Deuteronomy 31:8). I sent that verse as my birthday greeting verse to many a friend that year. Those words and verses now characterize my entire life, not just for one year. For after choosing a word, I get to live it, by the help of the Holy Spirit.