Dare to Grow: 2017
For many years I have come up with a “Word for the Year.” This word isn’t just a New Year’s Resolution that typically is forgotten in a few weeks… It’s a commitment, desire, challenge, end game, goal.
Goal is defined in Merriam-Webster as “(1) the terminal point of a race; (2) the end toward which effort is directed; (3) an area or object toward which players in various games attempt to advance… ” In my case, I use goal in all three ways.
We are at a “terminal point of a race” in our lives — each one of us. We are to live every day as if it’s our last… 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 says, Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Our family wants to run in such a way as to get the prize. But note where Paul writes, “But I discipline my body…” In order to grow or make it to the terminal point, end or goal, we must be disciplined…
The goal has to be in place before you can start running. What is YOUR goal? To what end are you going to pursue this coming year?
Word of the Year is something that I desire the Lord to teach me or challenge me in my walk with Him. Once the word is chosen, God leads me down a path FULL of lessons. Let me warn you though… with any word you choose, comes commitment and sacrifices that you must make. For example, in 2015, my word was “First.” I wanted God to be first and remove the idols in my life… that was a VERY difficult year. God literally broke me and drastically changed my life that year, and I am forever thankful. With any word chosen, much will be required. (More on my story about 2015, click here)
This year we are doing the word as a family. We have all talked about the journey God has taken us over the past few years, and we all feel that our word is GROW.
We sat down and divided our goals into 10 Areas We Desire to GROW as we seek the Lord together in 2017: (Click the links for great resources).
1. GROW in FAITH – Family devotionals; Time alone in God’s Word; Scripture Memory (There’s an App For That!); Grow in our knowledge, understanding and application of God’s Word; Live out and stand for the Truth of God’s Word; Grow in our boldness to share Christ wherever we go. (2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Proverbs 3:5-6)
2. GROW as a FAMILY – Do more family things together; Run and exercise together; Go to the park; Go swimming together (mom can’t just lay out the whole time); Play board games; Roast marshmallows; Do things together that will make memories. (Ephesians 6:1-4; Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 22:6; Psalms 127:3; Matthew 15:4; Proverbs 15:20; Proverbs 1:8; Colossians 3:20)
3. GROW in LOVE – To sacrificially and unconditionally love each other countless times more than we do today. (1 Corinthians 13; Luke 6:31; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7-8; Ephesians 5:33; Matthew 22:37-39)
4. GROW in Stewardship with TIME – Put the phones and screens away- even mom and dad; Before committing to something, we pray and discuss it first; Not give in to daily distractions – STAY FOCUSED on current tasks at hand; Serve others together as a family; Plan our time better and communicate schedules/expectations to each other BEFORE it’s “go” time. (Joshua 24:15; Proverbs 27:1; James 4: 13-14; John 16:13; Great Book: The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan)
5. GROW in our Stewardship with FINANCES – Be disciplined to stick to the budget; Say no to incidentals (especially mom at Target), work together as a family to pay off debt/car, Save more; Give more. (Proverbs 15:27; Proverbs 31:15-17; Proverbs 21:5; Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 16:9;
6. GROW in GIVING — We want to be conduits – may we be trustworthy vessels to sacrificially give to Kingdom work. May we give of our time as well. May we not allow our own devices to cripple us and distract us from the joy of giving and sharing God’s love and gifts to others. (2 Corinthians 9:6-10)
7. GROW in HEALTH – Wake up and work out; Eat foods that are good for our body; SLEEP; Daily strive and train our bodies so that we are able to do every good work. (Hebrews 13:20-21); Great Book: Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas)
8. GROW in FRIENDSHIPS with others – Get to know others even though it’s hard and sometimes scary; Share Jesus with new people and be a friend to them. (Verses about Friendships)
9. GROW in BOLDNESS to SHARE CHRIST – May we be willing to sacrifice our time, comfort and schedule to share Christ whenever and wherever we go. (I use the Share Your Faith App — great resource and you can use different languages)
10. GROW in THANKFULNESS – Above all, may we be thankful in ALL things – whether difficult or exciting… May we be thankful to our Father in Heaven for all he has done, is doing, and is going to do this coming year. (Bible Verses about Thankfulness)
In reading all of these, they seem do-able. Easy. No brainers. Some of these we already strive to do… but remember earlier when I gave you the definition of goal? The last definition I listed stated “an area or object toward which players in various games attempt to advance… ”
Our end goal as a family is not just a physical goal, it’s a spiritual one. I pray that by this time next year, our goal will be seen through the fruit that comes from the hard work and discipline we grow in throughout the year. We will have testing and hard times. Growing is HARD. It hurts. Growing may not always result in the way we expect things to be; but the Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” As we grow and the Lord stretches us beyond our own understanding, we will be better equipped and far more useful for Christ…And that is our goal.
It is our prayer that you, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, will dare to GROW in Christ this year. Please pray for us and all believers, that we will continually grow and pursue Christ daily.
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
- What areas in your life do you need to grow?
- What goals do you need to set for yourself?
- Are your priorities in line with scripture? (Bible Verses about Priorities)
- Are you willing to sacrifice your desires as you pursue Christ’s desires?
- Do you have what it takes to GROW this next year?