My Guiding Word(s) for 2020 and my Journey to Get Here
2017 Guiding Word
Three years ago I identified a word for the year: JOY. I felt called to it & desperate for it. I became laser-focused on walking in the JOY of the Lord. It was a macro purpose, fueling the launch of this blog & intentional ministry; yet it shaped micro purpose for me in everyday moments too in a year where I would face great sadness & trauma. I didn’t know how much a guiding word would help me.
2018 Guiding Word
When the page turned to 2018 I didn’t feel released from this word, so JOY remained my word for another full year. I didn’t know then how much effort I would need to use to stay focused on JOY as we walked through major grief in things our children were dealing with. The pursuit of JOY-steadiness seemed to keep my heart beating at times. My guiding word was pointing me toward my Source.
2019 Guiding Word
When we rang in the year of 2019, I was starting to breathe a little more clearly. And I felt compelled to choose a new guiding word – HAPPY. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I was scared of it. What if I picked it as a guiding word and then failed to be happy? What if the heavy parts of the journey we were on sucked every last ounce of happiness out of me? Nevertheless, I held it up like a banner and walked forward and placed faith again in the hands of the ONE who had steadied me with His JOY, believing He would help me learn to “feel” HAPPY again.
HE DOES NOT FAIL. Despite tensions, I knew happiness. Despite melancholy moments, I still experienced more belly laughs & the stiff jaw of a long smile. I lingered with family and enjoyed friendships that were good for my soul. I sang more, moved more, and breathed more deeply.
Rounding the bend of 2019 I wondered what guiding word was next. All through the holidays I mused on what word would guide me deeper into God’s heart and my own purpose in 2020. It feels like a year of 20/20 vision for me. But I kept going back and forth between two words that felt like they’d been tattooed on my heart. Why were they both so strong, and how would I pick?
2020 Guiding Word(s)
This week it finally seems clear I have 2 guiding words and both are important. IMAGINE – I believe God is calling me to dream this year. PERSIST – I believe He is calling me to strategically move toward the fulfillment of a dream. HE DOES NOT FAIL. So I’m starting to dream.
How about you?
Have you chosen a guiding word for 2020? I’d be blessed to celebrate it with you!
Elizabeth Joy
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