Word of the Year: Rest
I love the new year! I always have.
I love that it prompts me to take some time to personally reflect on the previous year and look ahead to what I would like to improve upon.
If you’ve been around for awhile, you know I abandoned New Year’s Resolutions long ago. I found making them–and usually failing at them–did not really help me in any area of my life. It has worked better for me to set goals all throughout the year and work toward making small changes or steps toward meeting those goals. There really is no need to “wait for the new year” to start something new.
The LORD’s mercies and compassions are new every morning! Each new day is a fresh start – no need to delay. 🙂
22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
The best mindset shift for me on my health journey years ago was when I realized that each meal was an opportunity to make healthy choices. The attitude of “I’ll start tomorrow” or “I’ll start on Monday” after eating something that was not on my plan wasn’t helping me toward my long term goals. Instead, I could have a fresh start at that next meal!
That health journey is ongoing, much like my spiritual journey. I keep moving forward, making small steps and changes toward the end goal. It’s not about obtaining perfection–it’s about the journey forward (hey, that sounds a bit like something from Arise, Go. ;-).
For the last several years, I have been seeking the LORD for a word or phrase of the year. Something to focus on–something to learn. These words and phrases come to hold special meaning to me and are great reminders of the steps I’ve made on my spiritual journey.
This year, my word is REST.
It’s not unique. It’s not original. It’s nothing flashy.
It’s a just continuation of last year’s phrase, “The LORD knows, and He cares.”
2023 began with a study of that phrase and the other things the LORD does for me. I did a series of posts on my social media accounts with the following:
The LORD knows.
The LORD cares.
The LORD hears.
The LORD speaks.
The LORD delivers.
The LORD guides.
The LORD helps.
The LORD strengthens.
The LORD defends.
The LORD sustains.
The LORD comforts.
The LORD forgives.
Each post included some of my favorite verses–support for those statements. They became the themes for the inspirational planner I use (still available in my stationery shop), and those verses and phrases have been before me all throughout the year.
Meditating on Who the LORD is and what He does for me has allowed me to REST this year. In the midst of ups and downs, twists and turns, struggles and hardships, I have felt within me a sense of REST. And it is something that I want to continue.
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him:
Psalm 37:7a
In a couple weeks, I’ll be sharing a bit more about REST on the Her Portion Podcast. I hope you’ll give it a listen.
Do you have a word or phrase for this year? Tell me about it in the comments.
Crystal Ratcliff
My passion is to encourage and challenge Christian women to
develop a personal relationship with their Lord and Savior.
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1 thought on “Word of the Year: Rest”
My word is prayer. I want to be instant in prayer, constantly in prayer, my mind focused on prayer. I’ll study it and memorize verses pertaining to prayer as well. Last year was peace so it seems the Lord is leading me on a continuing thought as well as Isa 26:3 says “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ”
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