Years ago I traded in the idea of a New Year’s resolution and began to enter the first days of January with something different. I took an idea I heard on the radio and decided to choose a word to prayerfully consider throughout the coming year.

The spiritual practice of one word continues in me. Only this year’s word is the two-word phrase be satisfied. I’m three days into the new year, and the teaching has already started. I’ve become aware of the many moments I am unsatisfied, and it’s not pretty. Yesterday as I worked to put up the decorations, I adjusted the thermostat at least five times. I was hot… then chllly… hot… then cold. While my age may play a part in this (if you know you know), I could have been satisfied with hot or cold. But I wasn’t.

I hear the words of Moses to the people just before they cross the Jordan into the promised land.

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.
_{Deuteronomy 30: 15 NLT}

It dawns on me this year’s intention needs two words because it indicates there’s a choice to be made. I can choose to be satisfied… or not. I believe this is what Paul meant when he said, “…for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content.” Satisfaction isn’t something to be determined by circumstances, it is something to be learned. Something to have no matter the situation.

Be satisfied. If I’m honest, I don’t know how to choose it, but I do know the One who can teach me. I do not have the strength to make the choice, but I know the One who does.

I know
that I know
I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.
I can
be satisfied.

If you are feeling led to consider one word for the year, you might:

• Begin with prayer. Asking God to show you the word.
• Listen… notice when a word (or phrase) grabs your attention
• Write it down
• After some time, you may have a short list of words.
• Prayerfully consider the list. Does one word continue to stick out? Does the list of words point to another word?
• Choose a word… or let the word choose you.

In my experience, this is not about having the exact right word. It is about turning our hearts toward God and trusting, no matter the word, God has the wisdom and power to use it in our lives.

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Want to know more? Just head on over to myoneword.org.