What is your word for 2014?
Choose one word to be your theme for the year. My word for 2014 is courage.
The dictionary defines courage as the “quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.”
Why courage?? It’s not likely that I’ll need the courage to face an occupied lion’s den this year! But I do plan to step into unchartered waters and will need to keep going. The Unknown. It’s a bit unsettling.
For me, this looks like new writing goals, commitment to IJM’s Locust Effect launch team, and developing local literacy outreach.
Last year’s word — sent — propelled me out of my chair to explore options. Courage also undergirded these explorations along with a willing heart. But this year’s next steps need a different kind of courage. It’ll be a courage blended with perseverance and determination. I don’t want to give up when things grow difficult…and they always do!
Most often fear enters as the greatest obstacle to the next step. Lots of “fears” exist: physical harm, emotional pain, brutal memories, uncertainties, and many more. It’s a healthy warning system. However, it’s often the unspoken reason for inaction. This cannot be!!
In his article “No Peaceful Warriors”, Ambrose Hollingworth Redmoon wrote, “courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than one’s fear. The timid presume it is lack of fear that allows the brave to act when the timid do not. But to take action when one is not afraid is easy. To refrain when afraid is also easy. To take action regardless of fear is brave.”
Consider Pentacost (Acts 2)! With boldness, Jesus’ disciples moved out of hiding and declared their faith to vast crowds. Sharing the word of God became more important than their physical safety. The Holy Spirit filled the early disciples with courage and determination and faith. Fear not!!
The scriptures are FULL of God’s decree, “Do not fear!” I recently learned that “fear not” is the most repeated command in the Bible (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 10:28; 1 Peter 3:14, and so many more!). Hmmm…
Indeed…. I hope to be strong and courageous in 2014.
Your Turn
If you chose one word to describe your hopes or desires for 2014, what would it be?
Not many Christians have the courage to follow up the teachings and sending of the one they should be following Jesus Christ. How many do have the courage to go out and preach the Gospel? How many people are willing to share the good News with others.
It is important than Christians do have the courage to say to others what they believe and whom they want to follow.
I do hope 2014 can bring much courage to many people who call themselves Christian, that they may show by their works their faith.
Yes, I join you in your hopes for 2014! May this be the year of courage where we all show our faith by our actions.
Hi Sharon… I don’t know what my word would be. My husband died five weeks ago and he was my best friend. So, I considered ‘grief’. But, whilst I know the loss doesn’t go away, we just ‘get used to it’, I still did not want to hand such an epithet over my year.
So if you don’t mind, I would like to share yours. Courage. It takes me so much courage to go out of our (sorry) my home. But so many people are praying for me it would be so wrong to not do my part. I know I will see him again.
Oh, Susan…my heart hurts for your loss. I will walk with you this year, seeking courage. As you take one day at a time, I pray that you experience God’s peace and presence. Know that you are in my prayers.