One Word

 Powerful. Relentless. Life-changing. Life-giving. It has the power to change everything. Hearing that "yes" or "okay" or "continue" could change the course of your direction. But so could hearing the words "no", "pause" or "stop." Those words can also change our lives for the better. I know they're often used in a negative context, but they could be setting us up for the yes. Have you ever thought about that? If you stopped and settled in that certain relationship or certain job, you would not have known that there was better around the corner. The right words at the right time and the right season will steer us in the right direction. The Bible speaks of the power of our words. Proverbs 18:20 says, "Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person's lips bring satisfaction." Verse 21 of the same chapter says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." In Luke 7:1-10, we see where there was a centurion (commander of a Roman army) that wanted Jesus to heal his servant who was sick. Jesus was on his way to the house when the commander said he was not even worthy to have Jesus come in his house. In Luke 7:7, he says, "But say the word, and my servant will be healed." As a man of authority, he knew the power of words when he gave commands (v.8). Jesus saw the man's faith and his servant was healed. As we can see, our words have power! Our words affect not only us, but those around us and those connected to us. Instead of making New Year's resolutions, I have been choosing a word to focus on for the last couple of years. I always pray about what my word should be. In the past, I have chosen words such as hope, trust, confidence, identity, intentional. God gave me my word for this year on New Year's Eve 2020. My word this year is wholeness. I am focusing on being well in my mind, body and soul. I am working on having healthy and life-giving thoughts and ones that will not bring me down. I am seeking out and desiring healthy relationships where we help and encourage each other, not one-sided relationships and to be taken advantage of. Those days are over! I am too valuable for that and so are you! I am working on taking care of my body by drinking more water, exercising and eating healthy and balanced meals. I am choosing to watch what I take in on social media and the Internet (music, movies, podcasts, messages). If it's not building me up, I don't want any part of it. Overall, I am working on being healthy in every area of my life. One word- wholeness- is changing my whole outlook and helping me make intentional choices about what to do and what not to do. I encourage you to choose a word to focus on this year if you haven't yet. Boundaries, love and endurance are a few of the great words you can choose from. It's powerful. It's life-changing. One word. It's one decision you'll be glad you made!