Sunday, January 16, 2022

Word for 2022



For the past several years I've chosen a word at the beginning of each year to keep in mind.  I wasn't sure if I was going to have one for this year; partially because the word that kept coming to my mind isn't found in Scripture.  Since I started choosing a word for each year I have also chosen a Bible verse with that word to think on each month.  I have a letter board in our entryway and change out the verse each month so that one of the first things I see each morning is a Scripture containing the word. 

After thinking about it; and having it come up in several different contexts over the past few weeks I've decided that my word for 2022 will be Focus.  Just like in the picture above, as we draw closer to God, He gets bigger, He fills more of our vision, and we see so much more the intricacy and beauty of Who He is.  

As I pray about how to focus better there are a couple steps that I'm taking and praying that God will continue, over this year, to show me any other areas I need to change.  

 - First, I deactivated my Facebook account; this may not sound like a big deal but it was a tough decision.  There are communities that I'm involved in, there is family news posted there and a lot of people use it as their primary communication.  But on the other hand, the nastiness, division, constant complaining, bad news, etc.  all was just too much.  So, I shut it down...for now I have no plans to reactivate it.  

 - Second, I'm committing to embrace a JOMO attitude rather than a FOMO attitude.  What is that?! You ask.  Well, FOMO is an acronym for Fear Of Missing Out while JOMO is an acronym for Joy Of Missing Out.  See, we will never miss out on what God has for us if we are focused on following Him; so anything that we may "miss out" on means that it wasn't really for us anyway.  

 - Third, I'm choosing to read some books this year that focus on Who God is and not just what He does for us.  I've mentioned a few times that I'm going through Tony Evan's book God Himself; one of the main reasons I chose to read that book was to refocus my mind; off of what can seem overwhelming and onto the One who is so much greater.  I'm also planning to read The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Tim Keller and also a Biography of Susannah Spurgeon.  

So, there it is.  My word for 2022.  Oh, and I've decided that since my goal this year is to focus more on God Himself, I will be choosing verses each month for our letter board that highlight a truth about God's character.  Do you have a word for 2022?  If so please share and I'd love to hear how you chose that word.  

2 comments:

  1. This is such a great choice for a word, Elisha! I love it. So very important especially in the times we are living in, which could feel quite unsettling if we did not focus on God.

    I have chosen a word of the year for quite a number of years (you can click "word" in the label cloud on my blog should you be interested in seeing them) but this year I don't have one yet. I don't necessarily think it's too late to choose one and I am open to a word for 2022 if God impresses one on me. I'll definitely post about it if I end up choosing one!

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  2. Thank you. Took me a bit to decide if I'd have a word but this one certainly fits.

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