One Word for 2013: Freedom

by | Faith | 24 comments

In the debuting hours of 2013, I had a dream. A group of people who have been in and out of my life had gathered for some event that I don’t remember. Just that singing was involved. That part of the dream stayed with me.  

We were about to sing a song about God. Someone asked if we were singing about God or a god. I stopped everything and pronounced, “There is only one God. We may have other gods in our lives, but we must embrace the one true God with freedom.”

Since 2009, I’ve chosen one word to focus on for that particular year:

  • 2009–Change
  • 2010–New Opportunities
  • 2011–Hope
  • 2012–Believe

Each of those words builds upon the previous year’s word. As I look back, I’ve seen growth in myself as a Christian, a wife, a mother, a childcare educator, a writer. Every area of my life has been affected. 

Around the beginning of fall, I began pondering my word for 2013. I had just bought Debbie Macomber’s One Perfect Word. Then, in November, Beth Vogt hosted a My Book Therapy Monday Night Chat about choosing One Word for 2013. Rachel Olsen visited the chat and mentioned her new book coming out in December called My One Word (co-written with Mike Ashcraft) 

When I attended the ACFW conference in September, my favorite workshop was hosted by Allen Arnold and Jim Rubart about writing with freedom. As I pondered my books to write in 2013 for my Lakeside series, freedom became a core theme.

I felt God was guiding me in that direction, so for 2013, I will be focusing on Freedom. Freedom from past regrets. Freedom from bridled guilt. Freedom from fears that hold me back from change. Freedom to embrace what God offers me. Freedom to be His daughter with abandon. 

During yesterday’s devotional reading (At the Feet of Jesus), I read Joanna’s words:

“Maybe you’ve discovered, as I have, that most New Year’s resolutions have little effect on day-to-day life except to add a burden of guilt and a feeling of failure. Continually striving, yet never arriving.” She added verses in Hebrews for reflection. 

I wrote out Hebrews 4:16 in my prayer journal: “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

What a great verse to celebrate the debut of 2013!

Whether you choose to make New Year’s resolutions, choose One Word to focus on, or do neither, remember God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but one of courage. As you plan out your year, consider how you will embrace what He has to offer. Approach Him with confidence and know He is with you always.

Your Turn: Did you choose One Word for 2013? If so, how did you determine that word? How will you use that word to gude you through 2013?

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24 Comments

  1. Jessica R. Patch

    Love your word, Lisa! And I love that picture too.

    My one word is Joy. It came through a lot of prayer and wrestling with God. I wanted a better word. Ha! But I’m thrilled with what He pressed into my heart and look forward to discovering what that means for me this year in every aspect of my life!

    • Lisa Jordan

      Thanks, Jess. I took that photo at a neighboring church when my mom was getting baptized a couple of months ago.

      I read why Joy is your word for 2013. I’m excited to see where He takes you as you experience His joy.

  2. Melissa Tagg

    Hey Lisa–love your one word. Freedom…so good. I do have a word for 2013 which I’ll be blogging about on Friday. 🙂 I also make resolutions–I’m just that kind of person. Lists and goals really work for me. But I love the idea of choosing one word, too. So…you’ll find out mine on Friday. 🙂

    • Lisa Jordan

      Melissa, I do goals instead of resolutions. I’m looking forward to reading your word on Friday. 🙂

  3. Michelle Lim

    I think we should have a one word blog hop! Great word, Lisa!

    My word for this year is balance. Finding ways to balance all of things on my plate is extremely important. Thus my word.

    • Lisa Jordan

      A One Word blog hop would be so fun. We should do that next year with the core team or a group of writers. Balance is a good word for you, Michelle. I look forward to seeing how He brings balance to your life.

  4. Lisa

    I very much love reading about everyone’s word. I am very inspired. Freedom, sounds like a breath of free air 🙂

    • Lisa Jordan

      Freedom is so…freeing, isn’t it? 🙂 I’m glad you were inspired, Lisa.

  5. Susan Anderson

    My word chose me this year; light. I want to be light in attitude and in the way I approach things. I also want to remember that no matter what the challenge I can always look toward the light.

    • Lisa Jordan

      Susan, light is a beautiful word for you! When you look toward the Light of Jesus, you are never going in the wrong direction!

  6. Lacie Nezbeth

    Hi Lisa! What a great word for the year! So many blessings come from the gift of our freedom! I’m excited to watch your journey this year! 🙂

    • Lisa Jordan

      Lacie, I know God has amazing blessings for anyone who embraces His freedom. I’m looking forward to seeing how this year unfolds.

  7. Lindsay Harrel

    I simply love this post, Lisa. You are someone I so admire. You just have this amazing heart for the Lord. Freedom…that’s good.

    My word is REJOICE. I don’t know what 2013 holds, but my plan is to “rejoice in the Lord always.”

    • Lisa Jordan

      LindsAy, thank you for your sweet words! Rejoice is such a great word. After hearing you sing, rejoicing in song isn’t a challenge for you. May you be blessed as you continually rejoice in Him. 🙂

  8. Georgianne Moisan

    Freedom is a great word! ! That’s what Christ has done for us – taken us out of darkness and set us free in His kingdom of light! I love Him!! My word is seek. I want to focus this year on seeking God with all my heart and soul. Try to live every day as if I would be meeting Him face to face that night.

    • Lisa Jordan

      Georgianne, seek is a fantastic word! And I love your expectation too. Isn’t that how each of us should be living our lives?

  9. Ruth Douthitt

    Very good word, Lisa. FREEDOM because of Christ. I enjoyed this post. It is good to look back and reflect on all that God has done over the years.

    For me, ENDURANCE is my word for 2013. I will trust the Lord and endure all the He has in store for me whether it’s landing an agent or not…or completing a marathon or not!

    Endurance to the end!

    Blessings,
    Ruth

    • Lisa Jordan

      Ruth, endurance is a wonderful word. Sometimes when we’re dealing with the daily challenges of life, endurance can be a stranger. Looking forward to seeing the strength God gives you as you endure!

  10. Vanessa

    I have been wrestling with this for a week or so now. I kept coming back to the same word – freedom. I still don’t know what all that involves. Thanks for the verse, it really helps me!

    • Lisa Jordan

      Vanessa, you may not know what it means now, but God has a plan and will reveal in His timing.

  11. Patricia Bradley

    Freedom is a great word to focus on. I’ve chosen humility…and even before 2013 began, I saw why God wanted this word for me. Great post, Lisa!

    • Lisa Jordan

      Pat, humility is a great word, especially for debut authors. It’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers game, but surrendering all to Him helps us to stay humble.

  12. Beth Vogt

    Lisa,
    This post is so, so encouraging to me.
    But that’s not surprising because you are such an encouragement in my life!
    I am so excited to see how God uses the word “Freedom” to change your life in 2013.
    (And my word for 2013 is “Confidence.”)

    • Lisa Jordan

      Beth, after seeing what God has taken you through the past couple of years, confidence is a great word for you. You portray confidence to others. Now you can embrace His confidence as you walk along the path He has laid before you.