Seek.

It's a new year, and we are once again surrounded by goals and resolutions.  My experience with setting New Year's Resolutions in 2011 has led me to focus less on the goal-setting and more on the lesson-learning.  I want to begin each year - and live the whole year! - with more of an awareness of how God is at work in my heart and in the world around me.

Rather than having a check-list of must-dos, I gravitated towards the idea of having "one word" for 2015.  I asked God to help me discern His word for my year - a year that will bring lots of change and transition, bittersweet goodbyes and new beginnings.  So, it's not a surprise that I first thought of the word "trust."  Trust?  Really?  It seemed a bit trite.  I even told a friend that it was too obvious - of course, trust will be a big part of this year and should be every year!  I wondered if this was the word I was supposed to settle on.

A few days later, the Lord brought the word "seek" to mind.  Immediately, I began to think about how this word connects to my current situation.

I am seeking His leading and guidance for this fall (where to live, which grad school program to choose, how to connect with people), as well as the months and years to come.
I want to be intentional about seeking out meaningful conversations with others, both in this community and wherever I live next.
Most of all, my heart's desire is to seek Christ and know Him more, but I want to learn more of how to seek Him.

Yes, "seek"!  I did a quick Scripture search and found this:

God wants me to seek...
His face (Psalm 27:4 and 8, 105:4)
His strength (1 Chronicles 16:11)
His righteousness (Matthew 6:33)
His will (Proverbs 3:6 NLT)
The Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)
Justice (Isaiah 1:17)
Peace (Proverbs 34:14)
With all my heart (Psalm 119:10, Jeremiah 29:13)

There is no mention of seeking answers, solutions, or shortcuts.  Seeking isn't a means to an end, but a valuable process in and of itself.  I pray that this year will be one of actively pursuing Him - not just to figure out what He wants me to do, but to truly know Him more.

Taken from: http://tinyurl.com/mx3fm9v

As I "seek" this year, I'm claiming these promises...
God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)
I will lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10)
All my needs will be met (Matthew 6:33)
The Lord is good to me (Lamentations 3:25)
I will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 7:7)
He will answer and deliver me from my fears (Psalm 34:4)

What is your "one word" for 2015?

Taken from: instapray.com

I'm linking up with Velvet Ashes, where women around the world are sharing their "one words."  #OneWord365