Well, it’s another year and time again to pick another focus word.
I’ve been choosing a “one little word” each year since 2019 when I came across the concept online. If you’re unaware of what this is all about, it’s essentially choosing a word that frames your intentions for the year. Instead of making resolutions, which can easily be forgotten by mid-year, it’s more of a general idea of what the year will be about. It also serves as a guiding light for setting concrete, values-based, goals. As well as provide insight for life events as the year unfolds.
Last year, I chose Flourish. The previous year was Grace. And the year before that was Rise & Shine. It’s so very cool, to me at least, to see the progression of growth.
This year, my focus word is Delight.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.Commit your way to the Lord;
Psalm 37:4-5
trust in him, and he will act.
As done in previous years, I like to transform the word into a phrase as this gives it some direction. To do this I started with finding the definition. And to gain a better understanding of what it means biblically, I went through a few reading plans on YouVersion based on the word and focus verse.
According to Webster’s dictionary, the verb delight means to “take great pleasure or satisfaction in“. The greek word used in this verse means to “be happy about, make merry over“. So, delighting in God means enjoying God and finding joy in Him.
Delighting in God means abiding in Him.
Abide in me, and I in you. ..Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:4-11
We delight in His word because we want to know who He is, as He’s revealed Himself. In knowing Him, we love Him for who He is and what He’s done.
We want to know His word so that we can live according to His commands. So that we can do what He calls us to do in participating in His work of reconciliation. We desire to become more like Christ in loving others and this pleases Him.
We delight in God because He delights in us.
He brought me out into a broad place;
Psalm 18:19
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.
Delighting in God means we seek to be in His presence continually because we love Him. He saved us because He delights in us. We are His! Rest in His delight, His favour, and draw near in prayer. He is not far; we can rest in His presence by becoming more aware of His spirit within.
In previous years, I took DaySpring’s Word of the Year quiz just out of curiosity to see what it would choose based on my answers. This year I did the same, for fun, and it gave me the word Beloved.
The idea that I am loved by God, and that He delights in me, simply amazes me! I mean I know it – Christ died for me. But I don’t think I understand the depth, width or length of His love. And so this plays a large part of my focus this year. I will be dwelling (abiding) and delighting in Him, because I am dearly loved.
Did you pick a focus word for the year? If you’re having a difficult time selecting one, prayerfully seek Him in that. And perhaps give Dayspring’s quiz a try; maybe it will spark something.
