cre∙ate: cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
This is my one word for 2012.
Each year for the last six years I've ditched the idea of New Year's resolutions in favor of prayerfully choosing just one word to be my focus for the year. One word that represents what I most hope God will do in and through me over the months to come.
I spend the month of January choosing the word carefully. And often my word doesn't make a lot of sense to others. At least not as much sense as it makes to me. For example, last year my one word was PERPEITY. (See, I told you.) The year before that it was SLOW.
This year I've chosen the verb CREATE. It's the first verb to appear in the Bible. Chapter one, verse one. In fact, it's our first recorded act of God. Not that I'm planning to hover over dark waters and create some earth this year ... unless maybe I paint landscapes on the beach at midnight. Or I get time to write a novel - that could count as creating a world.
Why CREATE?
Actually I chose CREATE because in the last few years my heart has developed a singular mission: to create a life that is pleasing to God. My drive is to fulfill the purpose for which I was created -- for God's great pleasure. (see Revelation 4:11)
I want to create work that proclaims His fame. I want to create a home and relationships that honor Him. I want to produce faith that pleases Him. And I want to realize afresh that I came "into being as something unique that would not naturally evolve or result from ordinary processes" - that I've been made holy and set apart in Christ.
MY ONE WORD posts
Throughout 2012 I'll be doing My One Word posts here. I'll be posting on the word CREATE and how it influences anything I'm doing. I'll look at what the Bible says about it. (I love that the dictionary definition hints that there is something supernatural about the process of creating.) I'll teach on verses I'm studying in my quiet time on it. I'll also share others' insights on creating and the creative process.
And I'll reveal any struggles I encounter with my word.
I'll talk about creativity - I'm a writer after all. Yes, creativity and productivity. But also about learning to rest and be the created. Worshipping the Creator. This is ultimately about spiritual formation, which is the process of growing into the new heart Salvation creates within us.
And I'll keep you abreast of my personal creative projects. Do you promise not to laugh if I do paint on the beach at midnight and post a photo of my sloppy masterpiece?
My current creative project is a book I'm co-authoring with my pastor Mike Ashcraft on this My One Word movement. It will release December 18 with Zondervan, provided I finish creating the manuscript by March. (Now would be a really good time to pause and pray for me if you would be so kind!)
So stay tuned for more to come. And if you aren't familiar with the My One Word movement click on the image above to visit our website and learn more. Consider prayerfully choosing one word for 2012 and if you've already chosen a word, go post it on the site - I can't wait to read it!
I did not realize the My One Word idea started at yours and Rick's church. That was really awesome to find out after reading your blog tonight.
ReplyDeleteIt will be exciting to see what God plans to 'create' through you in 2012.
ReplyDeleteI see you have CREATEd a new look on your blog as well! Thanks for sharing the website... I went ahead and posted my word for the year which is INTENTIONAL. It's time for me to live more intentionally for God, make intentional choices instead of the old habitual ones, and find out what God intends for my life.
ReplyDeleteLove that word, Tamara!
DeleteGood morning Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI'm getting the feeling that it might be important to participate in the one word movement this year...if only because I'm having trouble even starting the selection process. I feel like there's a boulder in my head right in the path of figuring out where I see myself as a child of God at the end of this year. But, I have faith that through prayer and prayer (and maybe a little more prayer) the Lord will show me His will and Word for me.
In the meantime, the lover of words in me is stuttering on your word for last year. Please, if you wouldn't mind, tell me where I might find the meaning of (or steer me to one of your blogs that explains)the word PERPEITY. Currently I'm feeling like someone who's lost their sight and has been plopped in an unfamiliar room. My poor internal computer keeps accessing, but is coming up empty handed: Does not compute. Does not compute. :-)
Happy Thursday!
Leah
P.S. I'm looking forward to your one word Wednesdays! I know you'll get me thinking and chatting with God about things...and that's just where I need to be! :-)
Delete Comment From: Rachel Olsen
DeleteRachel Olsen said...
Leah, don't sweat it ... it's best to allow ample time for your word to arise. I didn't settle on PERPEITY until the second week of February last year. As my year unfolded, I saw why it was the exact right word for me in 2011.
Sounds like we need to include a chapter in the book on how to pick your word - yes?
No one (with the singular exception of Beth Moore) has known what the word PERPEITY means. They've all looked at me and said, "Per-what?" It's a literary term that refers to the point in the story when everything changes. There's a major shift in the plot. Everything looks like it's heading in one direction but now it goes the opposite way. A comeback is made. Fortunes are reversed.
Christ at the cross and resurrection is the ultimate PERPEITY by the way!
Well, someone needs to tell webster.com this! :-) That's a word I want in my vocabulary for sure! I've had a few moments like that in my life. You might say I embody it a wee bit too much.
DeleteYes, a chapter on how to pick your word would be very good. Still not coming to me. Perhaps my word should be DISCERNMENT. ;-)
I'm having a hard time choosing a word for this year too. Last year was easy....this year, nothing so far! One thought I had today - maybe God isn't finished working last years word in my yet. hmmmm..........
ReplyDeleteHi Doris. I'll make sure we include a chapter in the book on how to pick your word - to walk people through the process we go through. The book should be in stores by December so next January picking your word will be a breeze. :) What was your 2011 word?
DeleteI'm looking forward to your My One Word Wednesdays, Rachel. My One Word for 2012 is HOPEFUL. Last year was a very trying year for our family, yet we saw God's hand move in our lives in powerful ways. I am HOPEFUL of what HE is going to do in me, through me, and around me in 2012! My HOPE is in HIM. (Jeremiah 17:7)
ReplyDeleteI love that I have you are doing this blog about our word. I started this Word pick for the first time in 2011. I have listen to KLove for 10 yrs 24 - 7 and never heard this before. God pursued me last year to do this. I have turned to God for help in my marriage. We have been broken and was struggling to forgive and stay in my marriage. I have been a believer for a long time. But until this crisis in my marriage did I really find who my God really is to me. So last year after a week of arguing with God over my word. I choose LEAD.. That was a hard word to say was my word. I am a follower not a leader. But last year God needed me to learn to LEAD with him everyday of my life. I broke the word down. I just could not LEAD. So I started off like this with my word.
ReplyDeleteLearn more of God
Educate read everyday my bible
Accel in reading Gods word
Develope more into having a relationship with God.
Wow was it an amazing year in the word of God. I love God for what he has done in me. My marriage is still together. My prayer is my Husband will turn and be lead by Gods spirit again as he once was. I have learned more of how to walk in the spirit. I am looking forward to my new year and my word is the first Fruit of the Spirit word is LOVE. I want to learn to LOVE God more and see others in Love too.
Thank you for this Blog. I will be tuned in all year.
Sherrie
Wow, Sherrie, what a great testimony of how God used your word to LEAD you last year! Thank you for sharing that with me. That was my pastor, Mike Ashcraft, you heard talking about My One Word on KLOVE last year. :)
ReplyDeleteWow. How am I just now discovering the One Word Movement? Probably because I wasn't there yet. I know His timing is always perfect even if I struggle with my own version of timeliness!...I came up with a word for my year without knowing of this movement after attending a worship conference. Rachel, my word is CREATE too! The Lord blessed me with a creative miracle and I was healed last year of many life threatening diagnoses - thank you Lord! - and I am walking into a new life. I could write about it all day...but I'll sum up and say that I agree with you wholeheartedly. It is just as important to be creative as it is to fully grasp what it means to have been created by God in His own image. Its going to be a good (and challenging) year.
ReplyDeleteExcellent word, Stacey! Praising God along with you today for your renewed health. Go post your word at the myoneword.org website for me :)
DeleteCREATE 2012
Irene, Jan 28,2012
ReplyDeleteGreat to read this oneword post before the first month of this year closes. Stress seems to be the oneword for the condition I am in, stress at home , stress at work . Been praying that God would transform either my situation or transform me so that I adapt to my situation. TRANSFORM would be my one word plea to God .
I'm glad you stopped by Irene. I've paused and prayed for you. Choose your word for 2012 based on what kind of person you hope to become by December. TRANSFORM is a really good one, by the way. Have a great weekend.
DeleteI like you. Its wonderful to others. God said too. But when we like other people, I believe The Father delights in this. I really like your ways, your thoughts. My one word for 2012 is, Passion. Glory to God. Keep it going Rachel. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteLavender Passion, you are so sweet. Thanks for encouraging me. God bless you too!
DeleteHi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog and so appreciate the encouragement that your messages provide. I've always tried to be an encourager to others as a mom, grandmother, nurse, friend and especially to people that I don't know. I feel guilty for all of the opportunities that were placed in front of me that I missed or ignored. (yes, I'm a caretaker!) It's been easy to do and I've always believed that it was my purpose in life. I thought that this would be a good word for me this year, not because it was something I feel I can accomplish and improve on, but because I've left someone off of my list of those who need encouragement on a regular basis......me. Your blog on being "more or less" really struck home with me. I'm going to give more prayerful consideration before I pick my word. Again, thank you!
Hi Diane. There is no rush to settle on your word for the year. Often the choosing process is a learning, growing experience unto itself! Some years it has taken me 4-6 weeks to pick my word.
DeleteSo glad you came by and chimed in here. Blessings!
I love, love, love this idea. At the beginning of January, I chose a word and then kept feeling led to other words also. I have a list of 4 now, but feel encouraged to pray and narrow it down to one to really focus on what God is doing in my heart and what he wants to do through my life this year! Thank you for this post!
ReplyDeleteHey! Yes, you will want to narrow that list down to one so that you can get busy doing something about one thing, rather than little or nothing about four things. ;)
DeleteThe great thing about the My One Word exercise is it forces clarity and that lazer-like focus (in submission to Christ) leads to transformation.