It seems this book I’m reading is dictating my posts for this week…
As it should. It’s encouraging me to stretch myself. To strive further.
I’ve seen a number of blogs dedicate a year to one word. One purposeful word to describe what they’re striving towards for the coming year. I remember reading THIS POST last year challenging readers to pick one word for their entire family to strive towards. Twitter has been buzzing lately with others finalizing their one word and I must admit, I had decided this was one challenge I could never do.
I’m indecisive, friends. Big time.
But I can’t get it out of my head. My journal is filling with one word sentences.Words like Grace, Joy, Present, Focus, Glory, Driven, Faithful, Steadfast, Praise, Thankful and Seeking adorn the margins
and I have determined I must choose.
One word to encapsulate what I’m striving for in 2012.
At first I had settled on Present. Yes, that would be my word. For that’s what I’m striving to be each day. But I felt a nudge to go further. I can do more than be present.
During my devotions the other day I was reminded of a sermon I heard awhile back on these verses:
Philippians 3:10-14
10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
And there, in the margin, were my old sermon notes. Words I needed to read this day.
You see, the sermon was about how Paul lived life with a definite decision (vs 12). He decided Jesus was the best one to master his life. He chose to live accordingly. Paul also lived with a determined priority (vs 13). He decided one thing to set his priorities on: Focusing ahead towards The One mastering his life while not being deterred by the past (vs 13).
For if you don’t learn to deal with your past, it will determine your future.
It seems, based on my notes in my Bible, I summarized the sermon to say:
You must be decisive
or you will live your life by default.
You’ll miss your mark
So

And those that know me well know I struggle with this. I struggle with being decisive. With not living by default–going with the flow. Why, look at how I almost passed over this opportunity of choosing my one primary thing I will strive for in 2012.
Yes, this will be the year I will focus on fixing this. I will be:
INTENTIONAL
I want to live on purpose. I want to make it count.
With my eyes fixed on the prize.
After all, God made me with a plan in mind. Big plans — that make a difference in this current life I’m living. I can’t pass by the opportunity to glorify Him and reveal what He has in mind for me.
So I will be intentional in my:
- Relationships
- Homemaking
- Parenting
- Blogging
- Eating
- Budgeting
- Planning
- Comings and Goings
I will not find comfort in saying “I don’t care” or “I don’t know” or “whatever you think is best.” No. I will remain focused on the goal and contribute.
Yes. I have decided. I will be intentional. And share my journey with you along the way.
How about you? Any tips for me?
If you chose one word to strive towards for the new year, what would it be? I’d love to hear.
Thanks for sharing your time with me.
Simply striving,
Nikki
UPDATE: To read how I have been striving to accomplish this, you can read THESE POSTS.
Am linking up to:



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