“Choose one word to live by in the next year.” This was the challenge introduced to a room full of high-school bible study students at my church a few years ago. “A word that will define your actions and priorities this coming year.” This challenge was a welcome depart from New Year’s resolutions which always seem to skillfully elude us after a couple of months. That year, I chose the word “servant” to live by. I failed many times to uphold that word, however, it provided an indispensable goal and something to strive towards throughout the entire year.
After much prayer and consideration, the word I’m choosing to focus on this year is Peace.
Peace in the Bible is not the same as we casually use the term today - “If I could just have some peace and quiet I could get a lot more done.” Or, “If only there was peace in the world.” The kind of peace Jesus offers is joyful rest and contentment in God’s plan for us. Peace is knowing that every aspect of our lives is for our good and His pleasure. Additionally, it is one of the Fruits of the Spirit. I can think of wonderful Christian influences in my life that live with this mindset of peace. It is truly amazing to see how this mindset affects every aspect of their lives.
Two Bible verses immediately come to mind when I think of peace: Isaiah 26:3 and John 14:27 (emphasis added). “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” and “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” These are powerful promises from a powerful Savior.
I always loved writing goals on New Year’s Eve. It was a fun time of reflection on the closing year, and a time of hopeful prospects for the coming year. But they rarely stuck, and once they were gone...there was no motivation to resume the resolution anew. Having a word as inspiration for the New Year transforms and replaces every goal and resolution. I am so thankful for the many blessings this last decade held, and look forward to what God has in store for 2020.
