The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

I clicked the link at the bottom of the page and my computer blinked and a new screen with a giant logo filled the space in front of me. Three words loomed before me: One Word 365.

I had been following my heart of being more intentional in my walk with the Lord and was meeting with Him early in the morning before heading off to work when I encountered the One Word 365 site. As I read my devotional for the day, the author talked about giving up resolutions for the New Year and finding one word to direct her life for the next 365 days.

It was December 2014 and I had just had my first encounter with One Word 365. My word came easily that year-intentional. I had already been convicted of having good intentions, but not following through with them, so intentional was the logical choice. The next year, 2016, the word relinquish was pressed upon my heart. Last year, God called me to follow.

This year I have been nudged to be bold in 2018.

I posted my discovery on Facebook that first year and invited my friends to join me in this One Word adventure. As my Facebook feed began to grow with words, my desire to share them also grew. The words being shared were personal, motivating, healing and most of all heart felt. Thus, the first word heart was built.

Proverbs 3:1-6 reminds us that what we hold close to our hearts is what guides our thoughts and actions. The writer admonishes us to write steadfast love and faithfulness on our hearts. These two character traits are to be the anchors of our hearts.

Then he tells us to trust God with ALL our hearts- not part of it, but all of it. Trusting God calls me to lean into Him no matter what is swirling around in the air around me. I am to trust that He knows what is going on in my life and that He is smart enough and strong enough to handle it.

I don’t multi-task well and I am grateful God gives me one-word directions-trust, seek, follow, acknowledge, write, bind, and keep. I have fallen in love with my One Word 365 discovery because I believe God has spoken to me each year through the word that repeatedly echoed in my heart.

This year trust was one of the most chosen words for 2018, followed closely by seeking. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
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What will be your one word for 2018?
Pray and ask God to impress upon your heart one word to guide your walk with Him this year.
 

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