Are you a part of the One Word Movement? I am. I became a part of this movement even before I knew it was cool! Wa-a-a-a-y back, I would chose one word to live by for the year. In the past, some of my words have been Abide, Ponder, and Prayer.
Back in 2013, I discovered there was a book written about having One Word. Actually, I’ve seen two books. I’m not sure which one began “the movement.” Many writers and bloggers choose their One Word, and write about it each year. Go figure…I was way ahead of my time, and just didn’t know it.
Today, I am praying about and pondering my One Word for 2015. Several are rolling around in my heart.
I originally thought Love should be my word. I know I don’t love like Christ loves. This is something I need more of in my life. I need to learn to love the un-lovely. The sandpaper people. The people that don’t know Christ as their Savior. To love them would show them Christ in me. And out of an abundance of love, compassion would grow. Patience would flourish. Kindness would take over. There can never be too much love. “Love is patient, love is kind…” 1 Corinthians 13:4.
This is a different word, I know. I heard a webcast by Kim Cordes about Mind Mapping. She said that each thought we have makes a path across our brain. If we have the thought over and over, the path gets deeper and deeper. It seems we can get into “thought ruts.” I need to retrain my brain, stop the “have to” thoughts and change them to “get to.” I need to get out of the rut of my old thinking, and begin new thought patterns. “…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:5.
The more I ponder this word, the more I’m leaning toward it for 2015. It speaks, well, deep into my soul.
I imagine it like this: There’s a storm blowing in the middle of the ocean. I’m out there, in a tiny boat. The massive 20 foot waves are tossing me about, causing chaos in my boat. I finally fall out, and drop deep, deep, to the bottom of the ocean. My movements are slower, deep down in the water. I fall deeper and deeper, until the storm can’t reach me.
That’s how I want my relationship to be with Christ – deep, into the shelter of the Almighty, where storms can’t toss me about. I long to slow down, and learn the deep things of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10). I desire to plumb the depths of His Word, and know Him ever deeper, every day.
[tweetthis]When I know the word, then I know The Word.
“The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:14.[/tweetthis]
Deeper. Deeper knowledge of Him through His word, deeper dependance on Him through surrender, and a deeper relationship with Him the more time I spend with Him.
How about you? Are you choosing One Word for 2015? If so, what is it? Share with me in the comments, I would love to hear from you!
Until next week,
Linking up today with Bonnie at Faith Barista
Ellen, your brain seemed to working a lot like my own! While you were ahead, I was simply ignorant and unaware. My friend shared with me her “word” last year, and I thought that was so cool that I wanted to do it this year. I had no idea that the rest of the world was doing it to! I thought my friend came up with some great idea that I’d copy! haha. Anyway, deeper was one of my words, as was choose wisely (2 words), accept, care…there were many. The one that finally settled it was disciple. That’s the word He spoke into my spirit. It’s not something that I even thought about, but that’s what it is…so I’m going with it. This one word movement is kind of cool…too bad I can’t limit anything I say to one word. Loved your post.
Mary, great minds think alike, huh? Your comment brought a huge smile to my face. It is hard to pick one word, when we have so much to share and say! Love your word – disciple! Let’s be intentional with our words this year. Can’t wait to see how God uses you and your willingness to be a disciple for Him!
Deeper is such a great word, Ellen. So full of meaning. My word is rest. Having an attitude of rest/trust in God, and also following patterns of rest God established in order to be filled by him.
I love your word Betsy! We all need rest, so that we can be filled deeper with things of Him! Thanks for stopping by!
Love DEEPER! And that’s certainly where I want to go as well. My word for this year (along with my sweet husband) is FOCUS. I’m already seeing it everywhere in different ways. Can’t wait to see what this year brings! Blessings to you, Ellen.
Ahhh, focus! I think I need to focus on Deeper 🙂
Looking forward to seeing where your focus lead you Sabra!
I love your site. I am from the south too. Deeper is a good choice for this year. I had a hard time finding one word. So I chose listen and obey. Both are terribly hard for me to do. Very good post. Thank you.
Hi Ruthie, thanks so much for stopping by. Love your words, and like you, I have a hard time with them both! Are you still in the south?
Hi Ellen! My word is FOCUS, just like Sabra:) Last year was PORTION, and God truly showed Himself to be all I need through trying circumstances. This year, I want to pursue God and fix my eyes on Him! “So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” (Philippians 3:15-16 MSG)
Love this, Kristine! And love the scripture you have included with it! Especially that God will clear your blurred vision. So rich! Looking forward to watching Him use you in 2015!
I didn’t have a word last year. This year, my word is “content”. I’ve spent much of 2014 living not content and I believe God has so much to teach me. LOVE your word. Praying that God takes us all deeper into His presence in 2015.
Content is a great word! I did a series on Contentment in November, and learned so much! Thanks so much for your Weekend Brew link up, I so enjoy reading the other blogs.
I like the word “deeper.” The Bible tells us to renew our mind and to have the mind of Christ. I suppose it is a retraining process, for many of us tend to let our minds wander.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on One Word for the year with us here at Tell me a Story.
Thanks for stopping by Hazel. Oh, yes, my mind does tend to wander! Thank you for your link up!
Great word, Ellen! I love it, and can’t wait to see what God does with it for you, through you, and in you this year. So glad we get to journey together! The new look of your blog is inviting and beautiful. I haven’t visited in some time. Glad I did today. Much love to you, friend!
Hey Julie! So glad you stopped by! I have been a bit remiss in my reading and comments on our blogs lately too! Now that the holidays are over, I’m hoping to re-connect!
Wow, you’ve taken on a powerful Word. Mine is “grace.” I know the Lord will teach me much about it in the coming year. Happy New Year!
Oh, wonderful word! I know He will show you His grace over and over this year! Thanks so much for stopping by!
I love your word, Ellen. “Deeper knowledge of Him through His word, deeper dependance on Him through surrender, and a deeper relationship with Him the more time I spend with Him.” I desire this along with you!
My word for the year is “follow.” My heart’s desire is to follow Jesus, not keep trying to run on ahead of Him. Sometimes I make plans and then ask for His blessing. But I want to focus more on quietly sitting at His feet to listen first what HIS plan is and then follow Him, clinging to His hand and not letting go.
Visiting you from Kelly’s. God bless you!
Oh, yes Trudy! I have such a hard time trying not to run ahead of Him! Love your word!
I love this . . . “deeper where movements are slower and the storm can’t reach me.” You’re right when our relationship with Jesus is that deep life is full of His peace and joy. Perfect word for the year!
Thank you Deb! Thanks for stopping by my little ordinary corner 🙂
I actually have two words – Intentional Challenge. My word was Intentional for the last couple of years. I love it because it really does help me to be more intentional with every part of my life. But I was getting “used” to it so I added Challenge with some specific goals I want to achieve.
Two great words, Deanna! I know I need to be intentional and not get used to my word for the year! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Love this Ellen. To go deeper and deeper, protected in the depths of you Savior’s love, that sounds so amazing. Certainly the Lord will do some amazing things through this pursuit and prayer. Much love. Great words. Cheering you on Ellen. You are a joy to read.
Thank you Kelly! I so love visits and tweets from my favorite cheerleader! You are such an encouragement to all. I am realizing this morning that my word may be a challenge – but that stretch will grow me for sure! Thank you for stopping by, and appreciate your #RaRa link up!
Deeper is such a wonderful word. I haven’t chosen a word…yet. But I would probably say the “word” is two words… push on. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post, and I must add I love the softness of your blog!
Push on would be two awesome words to live by in 2015, Neyssa! Thank you for stopping by! So glad you enjoyed the visit here (and the softness).
Ooooh, good word choice. That’s my hope this year and every year as well. Thanks for sharing on Equipping Godly Women Fellowship Fridays!
Thank you Brittany, for your link up!
Deeper is an amazing word for 2015! I’m very inspired by your digital graphic of the word, too. Way to go, Ellen. The line you wrote about going deeper & deeper until the storm can’t reach you was a powerful one. There is such a calming, quietness in deep waters.
Also, as a side note, Vick’s Vapor Rub helps me breathe…”deeper”.
Renee, I just slathered Vicks on myself – January sinus cold! Love that stuff. Thanks so much for stopping by my little ordinary corner!
May God be with you as you explore your word and he reveals all he wants you to learn. It’s funny, but I used the ocean to introduce my word (deeper) as well!
Thanks Anita! And thank you for stopping by!
Ellen, I loved the way you looked at “Deeper” >>deeper knowledge, deeper dependance, deeper relationship with Him.” I think it so resonated with me as I do feel this is what God will develop as I “Believe” (my word for 2015) Him. Not just in Him but believe Him – believe Him for His promises to me. So grateful to have stopped here from Coffee for Your Heart as I was blessed by your words. May He grow you deeper in 2015 & use you for His glory & to bless others!
Thank you Joanne. Looking forward to seeing your belief deepen in Him this year, as you share your journey with us!
All great words! I could use some “retraining”! I don’t think you will be disappointed with “deeper”. God always honors our hearts when we seek to go deeper. Blessings to you this year! My word is “yield”. What fun! This is my 3 or 4th year doing this. I love it! Visiting from Jennifer Dukes Lee’s link-up.
Thanks for stopping by Jennifer! What an awesome word you have! As you yield yourself to Him, I pray He would be planted in the deepest part of your heart!
Hi Ellen,
I found you through Coffee For Your Heart. I love your word for the year and I love the analogy that you used; being so deep in Christ that nothing — no storm, can ever cause us to break away.
My word for the year is Love 🙂
God bless! I pray you grow deeper towards God everyday.
HI Sarah, thanks for stopping by! I love your word 🙂 and as He takes me Deeper this year, I know it will involve loving deeply! Praying His love will abound more and more in and through you in 2015!
This is my first visit to your lovely blog via Coffee for Your Heart. I have just spent time in prayer, seeking to know God’s presence more deeply. This is a great word for the year and God will work in that. My word is “stand.” Stand firm, stand up…I’m interested to see how God is going to use this word to take me deeper this year. Blessings.
So glad you stopped by Ginger. My prayer is that as you stand firm in Christ, He will take you to new depths in your relationship with Him.
Hey there! I love the word ‘deeper’. It so much more than just a word – a cry from somewhere, well, deep I guess and than resonates with me.
Hi Helen, thanks for stopping by my little ordinary corner of the web. Yes! You’re right, it’s a cry from somewhere deep within!
Love your word choice deeper! My word for this year is trust… I’ve come to realize that I don’t have to stress about making the “right” decisions when I can seek His guidance and leadership in my life. It does, however, require being quiet and listening for His small, still voice (not easy sometimes), but it’s SO worth not having to feel constant pressure, worry, or anxiety on a daily basis. I don’t feel the need anymore to be in control all the time… I just have to trust His plan and perfect timing for my life! I find that I’m enjoying life so much more now than I have been too 🙂 Thanks for challenging us to choose a word to live by <3
Great word Deb! I have double too, quieting down and listening. Here’s a post from a friend on that
But yes, when we trust and quiet our hearts before Him, and give up our control, there is so much less anxiety!