(Twenty) Fourteen Words

It’s a new year.

Well, sort of.

I mean, it’s already January 23rd. And something in me knots all up when I write that out.

Because I’ve had a slow start on my goals. I was all set and ready to go with my three SMART goals for the year. (A cool acronym for setting reachable goals.) And my 14 words for 2014.

Oh wait. You don’t know about those, do you?

Probably because I haven’t written about them yet. (See above.)

So — I guess I better get started, eh?

Remember last year and the year before when I chose a word to focus on for the year? A lot of bloggers do it, so I joined in because I love the idea of having a certain theme all year.

So I started thinking about my 2014 word somewhere around the end of November. I prayed about it, too. And asked God if He could help me figure one out.

Some phrases came to mind, like . . . Love like Jesus. and Make the next right choice. 

No one word stuck out.

But this verse kept showing up in front of my face, and it seemed to encompass all those phrases. So I took the hint and chose a verse for the year instead of a word.

A verse, it just so happens, that has exactly 14 words. Fourteen words that come straight from God’s mouth. And it’s 2014. Perfect, right?

What a great focus, no?

A perfect way to jump into my goals for the year. Because, although I have prayed long and hard through these three ambitious intentions, I know I cannot accomplish even one unless I do it God’s way, with His strength, according to His Spirit.

So far this year, I have been on my knees every day at least once asking the Lord of my life to show me where to step.

Then I stand up and trust Him, and I take the next step.

Because it’s one thing to say I live by the Spirit. But it’s an entirely different thing to actually stand up and walk in it.

It’s a high call. Keep in step with the Spirit of God. In all truth, I know I don’t have it in me to do it on my own.

But that’s just the thing. I’m not doing it on my own.

Because God is alive in me. I live by the Spirit because I handed my life over to Jesus Christ a long time ago, and He promised His Spirit would give me His life.

This year, I want to go where God wants me. I want to step where He leads. When I sit with a friend who needs me to love her like Jesus. When the lady at Panera cuts in front of me at lunchtime. I want to keep. in. step. with the Spirit of Almighty God.

I want to keep up with His call. Make the choices He wants me to make. Love the people He gives me to love. Serve the way He wants me to serve.

And the only way I can do that is by giving up my everything and stepping where He shows me to place my feet.

I’m telling you here because I’m hoping you’ll help keep me accountable.

But there’s something else.

I wonder if maybe you’ll join me? Join me in asking God’s Spirit to show us His steps every day? Join me in following and trusting as we do?

I’ll give you a few days to think about it. Let me know if you’re in, and I’ll hook you up with some ideas for a jumpstart, ok?

I truly believe that if we do it together, we will see God do amazing things in 2014. And, oh how I would to see that with you!