One Word 2012

Well, its that time of year again, actually, probably a little late, but in all honesty, that's ok...

If you haven't heard about the movement that many people are using to have one word be their replacement for a new year's resolution, you can visit the link above to check it out.

Last year, my word was GROWTH, and that became a whirlwind that blew through my life.  I had hoped that GROWTH would have been somewhat easier, because honestly, there is not much that can't be considered growth in our lives.

This year is a different story, or at least I think it is/will be.  After a considerable amount of thought and prayer, this year's word is FREEDOM.  So let me give you some of my thoughts on where I believe this is headed, for me.

What I have learned as I have thought about, prayed over and meditated on this word is that FREEDOM is not as easy of a concept as many of us believe it to be.  If you don't believe me, feel free to ask any veteran. I feel very confident that you would get a different perspective on what FREEDOM is and what it costs.  With that in mind, I also believe that personal FREEDOM is similar to a battle as well.  What I mean is that there are always forces at play in our lives that are fighting for control in our lives, whether its money/finances/debt, work/careers/callings, friends/families/strangers, we all have multiple things pulling us in every direction, and the reality is that, we are too often slaves to many of those things - it is just a matter of where we allow our hearts to abide.  But I do believe that true FREEDOM can be claimed from these circumstances, and that FREEDOM is what I want to experience this year.

I believe that true FREEDOM comes when we get past being a slave to our own selves and surrender our lives to Christ.  I know this statement can sound like it is at odds with itself, to actually think that we are made more free to give ourselves over to the control of another, but that is, to me, what makes it so liberating.  Once that control is given over, we are freed from so much of the stress of life, because we have given our yoke and our burden to one who can manage it.

As I type all of this, I feel the need to make sure this statement is made as well... Increased FREEDOM does NOT equate to increased ease of life.  As we begin to grow in FREEDOM, there are 2 very important things to remember.

1. The more FREEDOM we have, the more responsibility we have - to help others experience FREEDOM as well as to continue to grow in that FREEDOM, by growing in our relationship with the One who gives us FREEDOM, and to become more like Him

2. FREEDOM does not mean that there are no longer consequences and repercussions to the decisions we make...

So this is where I believe I am headed in this upcoming year, what about you? Do you have a word or a resolution for 2012? Share it and let's hold each other accountable to live a Life Reignited.