2020 was a rough year and you may feel like you have accomplished nothing, but really, you have come so much farther than you think! Are you wondering how to plan for 2021 in the midst of so much uncertainty?  Are you looking for something that will help you focus? A way to live for what matters and let go of what doesn’t? Read on! 

In the past I had made it a practice to create a list of goals at the beginning of every new year. I found it helpful and focusing. Maybe you have too. By the end of the year, some of the goals were completed while others were still hanging out there and got transferred to the goal list for the next year. It wasn’t a perfect system, but it helped me to start the year purposefully. Having the goals written down on an index card used as a bookmark in my journal kept them before me throughout the year and helped me to refocus when necessary. I appreciated being able to review the card at the end of the year and see some progress. 

A few years ago I came across a reading plan in the YouVersion Bible app that challenged readers to choose one word to focus on rather than create a list of goals. The idea intrigued me, so I downloaded the guide and began the prayerful process of choosing one word to focus on. The objective was to allow God to show me an area I needed to grow in and focus on that through my one word. 

My one word for that year was “value.” I had struggled with feeling valued and valuing my own thoughts, opinions and contributions. So, along with the verses I had picked up in our church New Year’s service, I took an index card wrote VALUE at the top, my New Year’s Scripture references below that, and crafted some goals built around the word VALUE. Some examples: I will value relationships. I will value my own voice. You get the idea? As before, I kept that index card as a bookmark in my journal. My phone’s reminder feature was also a great way to keep the word “value” in front of my eyes on a daily basis.

At the end of the year, I could look back and see tangible growth in this area of my life. Growing in VALUE had helped me grow in stepping forward in God’s plan for me. I accomplished tasks. No doubt about that. But the inner growth was much more satisfying and precious. I have continued this practice in the years since. I have been encouraged and challenged by the focus and have seen growth as a result. This yearly practice has really helped me. I hope it helps you, too! My one word for 2020 was FARTHER and in spite of lockdown and limits, as I have reviewed the goals I wrote last January, I can see where God has brought me FARTHER. 

Sound like something you’d like to try? Let me give you some suggestions to get you started. Here’s a snippet of Scripture  full of words that might be worth your focus for the year: 

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

Do you need to focus on an identity statement? How about “chosen” or “holy” or “loved”? That’s who these verse say you are. Struggling with a relationship at home or work or church? You could focus on “compassion”,”kindness”, “humility”, “gentleness” or “patience.” Maybe your word is “forgiveness” or “forgiven” or “love” or “unity.”  

Whatever word you choose, go through the process with God. Let Him guide you to your word. Your ultimate goal is to let Him do His work IN you as well as through you. A one-word goal is more about growth than accomplishment, so, no matter what 2021 holds, you can be sure you will make progress. 

What do you think? Will you pick up the challenge? Let me know! Send me an email here. And by the way, if you’d like to receive my weekly blog post by email, just signup here.

Blessings, Dear Friend. I look forward to sharing 2021 together. Let’s focus. Let’s live for what matters and let go of what doesn’t!

Key thought: God wants to do His work IN us not just through us.

A Scripture to consider: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3: 12-14

A YES challenge: Choose one word to focus on for 2021 and see what God does in your life. If you focused on one word for 2020 take some time to look back and review your year. What has God done in you as a result of your one-word focus? Take some time to journal and be sure to share what you discover with a trusted friend. 

Prayer: Lord, You know me inside and out. You know where I most need to grow and what I need to focus on for this year. Task goals have some merit, but I want a deeper goal. I want to grow in my character. I want to grow more like You and to become all that You planned for me. I give this year to You. Do Your work in me not just through me. Amen. 

Some resources: 

YouVersion (Bible.com) https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/809

Lots more info than I used at http://getoneword.com/