one word: look
Look.
That’s my One Word for this new year.
There is so much I want to see in my life, but I realized that I won’t see it until I start looking for it. So this year, I’m committed to live looking.
I’m going to look for God’s hand even when I can’t feel it. Look for Him in the darkness when I can’t see His light. Look for Him in the obscure and simple parts of my day. Of my life.
He is not a God who is far off. He is not distant or uninvolved. He is right here, in the messy fabric of my life, but I miss Him more often than I see Him because I don’t bother to look.
He often shows up in ways I don’t expect, takes on a form or face I’d never imagine. I can walk right by Him and not even realize it.
I don’t want to miss Him anymore.
I want eyes to see Him at work, using my “all things” for my good and His glory. Eyes to discover more of His heart and character displayed in the people around me. Eyes to spot His hand holding mine when I feel nothing but alone.
I want to see Him, even when my eyes are clenched tight—in fear or grief or exhaustion. I want to see Him in my moments, in my darkness, in my brokenness. See Him where I haven’t seen Him before.
I want to live my life more aware of His presence… His protection… His provision.
I want to look for God in my pain, actively trusting that He is right here with me in it.
I want to see Him.
But first I have to look for Him.
:::
What about you? What’s your One Word for 2011?
If you blog about it, link to your One Word post below…
Yes.
My one word for 2011 is ‘yes,’ in the sense of saying ‘yes’ to God.
I’ve said yes to him in many ways – I’m living on the other side of the world from home because he asked me to do so. But there are lots of places deep inside that he wants to uncover, and for far too long I’ve said ‘no’ when he asks to go there. This year I’m saying ‘YES.’
Look is a great word!! My word is DETERMINE! There’s so many ways in which the word determine can come into play this year. I am determine not to let the actions of others make me feel bad about myself. I am determine to be all that God desires me to be this year and on and on……
Glad you are back!! I love your word…
I linked up with my post — looking forward to a great year!
@greenenough4me says:
I want to see him, too. I need to look more often.
I love your word, and I have a feeling you will find Him in every moment of every day.
Seek him.
Right here with you.
Always.
Looking. Always.
Love the word Look…
Jer 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
or the Message
“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”
Peace.
I LOVE that … got several words rolling around for me. Praying the exact one. I’ll share when I know. I LOVE YOU Alece!
You are so smart! :) I debated several words here…. commit, endure, but it was’t until I read your word that I heard my word clear as day.
PLUGGED—- Ok, that sounds funny, but I have been talking about it a little bit on my blog… and it is pretty much what I am trying to do…
Plug in to my life…. I have spent too much time being unplugged from my life, not really being a part of life, and now I really am making a concentrated effort to plug back in…. So this year my word is plugged, as in staying plugged in…. LOL! :)
Wait, I am changing mine…. I think I like the word “connected” better…. LOL, but it means the same thing! :) Forgive me….
@gritandglory says:
no apologies needed. this is your word. let it morph as needed…
morph. *chuckle*
That’s a beautiful word Alece!
Because far to often I live in unbelief about God’s love for me, my word for 2011 is BELOVED.
@sonsti7 says:
Praying that when you’re looking, you see Him all over your every bit of life this year… and that you see glimpses of things the way He does – your beautiful self included!
My word for 2011 is 2012.
All I want to do is live another year — with my loved ones healthy for the duration.
Alece,
I love this word for you….and i am excited to see how God uses it over this next year..
My word is heal. I blogged about it here. http://ofalltheliars.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-word-2011.html and wrote about some of the goals and hopes for the year that it has shaped here: http://ofalltheliars.blogspot.com/2011/01/healing-story-2011-goalshopesdreams.html
Ironically, I also blogged about it unwittingly at the very beginning of December, long before I knew I’d be choosing a word. I’d totally forgotten that I’d written that post until I spotted it this morning and realized that if the word I picked at the beginning of December and the end of December, without thinking about it, were the same, then I probably made the right choice. The post from the beginning of the month is here: http://ofalltheliars.blogspot.com/2010/12/reverb-10-day-1-one-word.html
Yield
@gritandglory says:
woah.
what a powerful mental picture that creates…
Intentional
@nicoleunice says:
Alece, love your word. It sounds perfect for you. I love the one word concept…teaching it to my high schoolers, adding a prayer page to my site. I love caring for people by praying for their words and that they would see God act in the midst–and that they would respond. I’m glad to pray for you, even today. :)
Praying for you as you look for Him. Thank you for including us on this journey.
Alece, I’ve been very curious to see what your word would be. Thanks for coming up with such a great idea and sharing your word!…. I’ve contemplated my word for several days and finally nailed it down to “STRETCH.” My intention for 2011 is to push myself outside my comfort zone in all aspects of my life — to stretch myself spiritually, socially, emotionally, and even physically. I’m committing myself to taking yoga again, a deep passion which grounds me spiritually but which has fallen to the wayside over the past several years.
My one word for 2011 is going to be PURGE! I am going to purge the unnecessary things out of my life this year!
@maryjohess says:
What a great word! I’m so excited for you this year and all that God has in store for you! Since you’ll be “Looking” for Him, I know you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how often you find Him there. May your days be filled with joy, peace, anticipation, wonder, trust, and healing. I love you my friend.
@chrystieecole says:
“Bold Humility” I sort of cheated…Mine is two words but I consider it to be one attribute. I don’t want one without the other.
copy/pasting from my FB:
Okay, biting the bullet and picking my word(s) for 2011. #1 Committment. #2 Praise (thank you Gitz for that one). I need more of both of my life. #1 encompasses everything from my chore list to homeschool to showering (ha!) to staying off of FB. #2 I don’t do enough of and I think it will greatly change my perspective on a lot of things if I COMMIT to PRAISING God more often. ;o) So, there it is.
@crittyjoy says:
Beautiful.
How often do we forget to do that. Look. It seems so simple yet we often miss so much.
I think it is going to be a beautiful year for you Alece.
I have known my word for a while and I am excited because I feel like it has been a long time coming…Freedom. I had a taste of it early in 2010 and I want it. A lot.
I love your word. Praying God shows up when and where you least expect Him and that evidence of His presence is displayed all over your world. Praying that He will be inescapable from your sight. Because He is the God who sees. . . He sees you and everything in your world, every big and small thing. He sees. He is here (Emmanuel). Seek Him while He may be found.
Still pondering my choices. I’m mulling over three words, searching for THE one, though each seems applicable in its own way, as I was reminded just seconds ago by a verbal exchange between me and Greg. Arrrggggghhh! Such frustration with myself! Don’t know why I can’t remember to think first and speak afterward! Epic FAIL!
OK, I think I just got clobbered over the head with my word – gentleness. How I need to exercise that one. Hoping it’s not a year-long exercise in futility and frustration.
Love you, friend
courage.
it’s scary to even type that word, alece.
love this challenge.
love you.
I’m not sure if I’m going to write a one word post or not, but my word is “story.” About half way through Don Miller’s book I realized that my story is boring. And I doubt anyone would want to read it, in fact I wouldn’t either. I’m focusing on improving my story this year.
good word, sweet friend. you’re going to go into this year… intentional… looking. I can’t wait to see what you see, walk this road with you and love you along the way.
My word is Intention! I want to live each day with intention. I have never done that before, and I want to be more intentional with each choice I make. Thank you for setting this up. It’s a great topic!
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Mine is ENGAGE. Thank you so much for getting all this going, Alece!
I came across your blog yesterday and loved the post. Love the idea that I can focus on one word for the year to change my live and so many around me. My word for many reasons this year is discipline. Thank you for your wonderfully creative idea for worship.
Blessings for 2011!
This is the Year of Less. Less stuff in my closet, Less food on my plate, Less running around like a chicken sans head; Less of me and more of HIM.
Thanks for your inspiration!
I REALLY like this word, and the many different forms it can take!
Well. As of last week I decided to “do over” on my one word from last year. The word is discipline. I ended up failing miserably and I knew I could do ether this year. So, yesterday wa a huge “kick in the junk” to remind me why I need to be disciplined in life.
I’ll be blogging about this tomorrow. I will be sure to link back here…
And…
I love your one word!
My one word for 2011 is DO…
My blog post is scheduled for 01/03/11…
Thanks for this!
My word this year is DEPTH, and I’ve linked up, so the explanation can be read in more detail. My hope this year is to be even more mindful of my word so that I can journal about how I see God bringing more depth in my life.
I’ve read some of the blog entries, and what I love about it is that we have chosen such a great variety of words, but when you read the reasons behind our choices, it is clear that everyone has chosen a deeply personal word.
What a great word for 2011! I love how you distill it all down to one simple word! I’m now thinking about what my word will be. Thanks for this thought-provoking challenge!
@pa3cia says:
my one word: BELIEVE.
and i never have a word or a theme without scriptures to hold on to so my scriptures for this year are gen 15:6, luke 1:45, hebrews 11:6 … all those scriptures have the word BELIEVE in them =]
blog post will be linked up tonight or tomorrow =]
happy new year alece. those who LOOK to Him are radiant with joy; no shadow of shame shall darken their face (psalm 34:5).praying you find joy as you look to Him.
@adsharrer says:
My one word is present. I want to live in the present – no more dwelling on the past and no more worrying about the future, just enjoy today. I also want to concentrate on the presents/gifts that I have in my life – quit fixating on what I’ve lost or what others have that I don‘t have, just be thankful for what I’ve been blessed with and how truly lucky I am.
This is so great Alece. I too will pray for you that your heart will see all that God is and what He has placed around you. He is always working and always near.
Thanksgiving. Been completely inspired by Ann Voskamp and her new book.
@JCWert says:
The moment I read your word, I had a real peace that it was perfect for you. That’s definitely the word you need. Should be a great 2011 for you!
@Nomadstacey says:
Hmm such a good reminder to remove blinders and just…notice God. Love this word for you!
Mine is REJOICE. You can ready post here: http://wp.me/pN8Eu-8o
@Cheskafaith says:
Beautiful…praying you see all you seek! My one word “Mirror” (add ouch).
@bahava says:
“I want eyes to see Him at work, using my “all things” for my good and His glory.”
amen amen. praying that you will see Him in so many places and in ways that He will surprise you with joy and excitement. looking for Him in the details is so hard for me because sometimes I don’t know if I’ll like where He’s at in them…but more often than not I’m just glad He’s at least there with me.
So, my “One Word” is discipline. And I am a day early on my schedule to get this post up.
Im starting well! :)
http://brentinworship.com/post/2575704115/not-the-way-i-planned-to-spend-new-years-day#note-container
@gritandglory says:
proud of you, corky! ;)
thanks for doing this with me. means a lot…
(oh and hey! link up with that linky-thing up there in the post!)
Oops :)
Done!
@tonyjalicea says:
I LOVE it Alece. “Live Looking”. SO good! I think you may just be blown away by what you see! I just got Matthew 5:8 for you as I thought about this. It’s going to be amazing!
PUSH.
I felt like I should add that the my verse for 2011 is John 15:2 (particularly from the AMP).
So proud of you for still “looking” for Him, even in the midst of it all! My word for 2011 is “follow” with much of the same desires you wrote about. I want to follow His leading, even when I doubt or question or just hurt too much. His ways are always perfect!
eh, I couldn’t add my link to the top with the rest of the group, so here’s mine. :)
Ours are somewhat similar. I’ve been excited to see what your word was! :)
http://thedirtroad.blogspot.com/
hope you’re doing awesome. :))) And for some reason, I have the urge to say I miss you, even though you do not know me. :) ha.
@20BOLD11 says:
Okay soapparently I don’t know how to trackback *sheepish look*
So here’s my 1 word post: http://holyghostgirl2010.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/1-word-2011-boldness/
Love ya and praying for you as God takes you through this new and exciting season. All to and for His glory!
Hi everyone! Mine is courage. I blogged it– but it’s the longest blog post ever! If you do want to you can see it at Http://livingcanvas.wordpress.com
Had to come right here to see what your word was. It’s going to be so cool to read your insights this year about this. You have such a way of seeing things already through a camera lens that others miss, so I can’t wait to see what that’s going to look like even more magnified.
My word came to me, and I’m a-skeered. I thought it was another one, but no, this one wouldn’t go away…..
BELIEVE.
Oh. man.
@atangie says:
what a great group of people deciding to be focused this year. congratulations!
I can’t remember if I posted my word or not :) Mine is “Wonder”
http://jennyrain.com/2011/01/one-word-2011/
Relationship. Putting the energy into enriching our lives/ministry with relationships.
My word is “engage”. I missed too many opportunities of joy because I simply did not put myself out there (due to various reasons/excuses). This word is on my mind constantly :)
Thought a lot about this…. My ONE word (you killing me with only allowing me to pick 1!) :)
TRUST
Over the years my view and understanding of what it means to trust others has been greatly skewed. My prayer is to allow God to teach me what it means to trust others as I fully trust in Him.
Here is my link… http://cpkiii.com/2011/01/01/a-one-word-moment/
@_kingsdaughters says:
Woman… that is my one word for this year :)
@kedamak says:
It is ironic that it has taken me so long to get over here to post my One word especially since I’ve had it for at least a week if not longer. It is even more ironic because of the word I chose. My word for 2011 is Courage. Right at the end of 2010 God asked me to take a journey into some deep places of my heart, places that have been INCREDIBLY difficult to go to. The journey has been way harder than I thought it would be and the worst (maybe the best) part is we’ve only just gotten started; I know the hardest parts are yet to come. So I need a lot of courage.
As I’m doing this hard work, I am discovering just how hard it is to truly listen to my heart. I tend to ignore my heart and what I truly need in order to do what others want me to do; it is almost a default for me. So in addition to the courage to stay this hard course, I want the courage to disappoint others and their expectations of me if it means not betraying my own heart. I think the courage to disappoint others will be way harder to do than the journey to the deep places of my heart. So that’s my word for this year: Courage. (the irony is that it took a whole lot of courage for me to put that out there; not fully sure why but it did).
@Han_kyoul says:
my one word is Photography.
I totally love you word, so cool!! And I am totally on board with this idea but it’ll be a few days before I can get a blog post up (finishing up some left-over schoolwork so I can actually receive my diploma) but it’ll be linked up in a few days.
G
@zizzivivizz says:
Hi Alece! I found you through Bethany (@paperisdue), and can’t believe I haven’t been here before! I love the One Word and am excited to read more around here. :)
my one word. JOY. At the end of the year, I want to look back and say “wow, 2011 was a year filled with so much joy and happiness.”
Look is a great word to focus on. We won’t find what we need unless we go searching for. Faith is always there, even when we don’t see it.
Life has throw a lot your way in the last few years. So keep your eyes wide open Alece, plenty of high octane Starbucks should help, and you can’t miss the faith that is always right there by your side. Have a very spiritually rewarding 2011.
I was going to make “mirror” (as in the man in) my word for 2011. After looking at my budget, and my scale, which is telling me I have added a few too many pounds, I think “discipline” would be a better word this year. Also for the first time in years I went into a mental funk for a while and had a harder time getting out of it than I expected.
Discipline means I have to do a better job of making use of what I have, and to work harder to maintain good health, in body and spirit.
Look is a great word to focus on. We won’t find what we need unless we go searching for. Faith is always there, even when we don’t see it.
Life has throw a lot your way in the last few years. So keep your eyes wide open Alece, plenty of high octane Starbucks should help, and you can’t miss the faith that is always right there by your side. Have a very spiritually rewarding 2011.
I was going to make “mirror” (as in the man in) my word for 2011. After looking at my budget, and my scale, which is telling me I have added a few too many pounds, I think “discipline” would be a better word this year. Also for the first time in years went into a mental funk for a while and had a harder time getting out of it than I expected.
Discipline means I have to do a better job of making use of what I have, and to work harder to maintain good health, physically and spiritually.
I was just reading the start of the Essential 100 reading plan this morning, and what I wrote in my journal was when God told Noah: “Look!….”
I think it’s a great word. Sometimes we just don’t.
Oh my goodness Alece…you have challenged me more than you could know. I saw Tracee’s post earlier and it got me to thinking. I don’t do New Years resolutions any longer but I love love love the idea of having a ONE WORD focus for the year. I searched and searched for the one word that He would lay on my heart and came up with SURRENDER. It took me all day and lots of “other” words but I am ever so thankful for you for doing this to help me narrow my focus for this next year! Big Hugs, Melissa
@LarryHehn says:
My word is Vulnerability. It’s already been tested! It’s uncomfortable to be vulnerable but it also opens up the opportunity for many blessings. Happy new year, Alece!
http://larryhehn.com/2010/and-the-word-for-the-year-is/
This is a profound word choice. You will certainly have a powerful year.
@Julesmarie26 says:
So my one word for 2011 will be…..
“NEW”
“And the one sitting on the throne (watching over us) said;
“Look, I am making all things NEW” Rev. 21:5
Its painful…let’s face it! When our faith collides with big life events we call it being tested….we are tested by temptation and other things….but what I believe now is that when big life events happen they are opportunities to be made….new.
Who wants that right! WANT IT! So much has happened in my life (good and bad) its too much to write about here…what I have come to learn is that new means I become the person I always knew I could be, wanted to be and should be. It means I now recognize my own value more but with less drive for it to be acknowledged, because He is out there seeking that for me…and even bringing it to me!
And if you stand still, if you can allow the dark moments, beg for his presence HE will make all things new FOR you while making things new IN you.
For me this has been the shedding of things (and yes some people)…and the acquiring of others. I am still me, a little less patient then I wish – resourceful and helpful…but by what He rid me of and the new things He gave me in wisdom and looking wider….I am NEW! I see NEW!
In fact almost everything is NEW to me. Some things more obviously inconsequential, even sad…..while others so much more beautiful! For all the hurtful or hard…loss or gain, I am grateful for the new things thus far…but for 2011 it’s the NEW things that are coming to the NEW me that I know will be the best!
I encourage everyone to be encouraged by Isaiah 43:1-12
I’m so excited about this, Alece. I’m actually three-wording it lol. My primary word is COMPLETION, but there were two more that I just couldn’t “shake”– COMMITMENT and DILIGENCE. When I prayed about it, i felt God speaking to my heart that “Without commitment and diligence, there can be no completion.” So, I’m three-wording it. Thanks for inspiring all of us! Blessings to you.
Love it. My word: Committed. http://www.kevindeshazo.me/2011/01/one-word-2011-committed/
Ok, I hit publish. I’m in with you this year, Alece! (But you have to read the blog to find out my word!) Thanks for asking us to come along!
@coloraturajoy says:
I love your word. I do, I do. I need to certainly be doing more of it.
Can’t wait till I share mine. As soon as I’m done with all the mulling!
Love you, sister friend.
@mat2820b says:
O my gosh Alece!!!
LOOK at what has happened here!!!
My one word for 2011 is INVEST. I want to spend the entire year investing in myself, because I am worthy of it. In everything I do in 2011 I want to build myself up, not tear myself down.
I want to invest in relationships by being vulnerable and compassionate. I want to invest in my heart by opening it fully to God. I want to invest in my body by eating right and exercising. I want to invest in my mind by reading great books. I want to invest in my future by finishing school. I want to invest in my self-esteem by seeking out life experience and meeting difficulties head on.
My counselor said recently, “Ashley, you are worthy of investing in yourself.” I just about started crying. In everything I do in 2011 I want to invest my time, energy, and money into being the person I one day hope to be. Because I am worthy of being that person. Growth requires deliberate practice and a conscience effort, so I want to be proactive about personal growth in 2011. At the end of the year I want to look back and say… it was a long tough road here, filled with making the better decision day in and day out, but boy I’m glad I’m here.
I love this. This speaks multitudes to me. I don’t feel his presence sometimes. I am going through a major heart break in my life right now and having to let go and let God….move on and Trust Him. It’s so hard and sometimes I feel SO alone. Somedays I am full of strength…somedays I am weak. I need look for Him…to see Him in everything. Thanks for this. I am trying to think/pray of/for my one word…
<333
I LOVE this ALece! I had to jump on the bandwagon. I had so many words I wanted to focus on, and I almost ended up trying to do 2-3…but I figured that would defeat the purpose. I landed on NOURISH…love it! I took time to blog about it, hope you can check it out!
Thanks!
From one goofball to another…..
Love your word Alece! Thanks so much for the inspiration to do this! :)
My word is picked….post tomorrow.
P.S. it ended up not being “Dang”. :)
My one word was story.
@traceepersiko says:
Hope you can see Grit church going on! Your heart love.
Awesome awesome. So happy to find you. Inspiring stuff.
You should check out my friend Ali’s website… She leads a “One Little Word” movement too: http://www.aliedwards.com
TRUST is my word..BIG family stuff going on..i will TRUST the LORD ..it’s His plan and timing
@JanetOber says:
I’m a sucker for any party and this one keeps growing, so I want to join the fun :)
My word for the year is Why?
Why can have many meanings … for me this year, it will be a reminder to always ask myself why I am or am not doing something.
I haven’t blogged about it yet, as I just now read this and decided it. However, this word has been floating in my head for several months now from many directions…it is definitely my word for 2011. Intentional.
My word for this year is courage, I wrote about it the other day and just found this!
@kedamak says:
Courage is my word as well. I tried to comment on your blog but lately comment sections have not liked me. Here is what I tried to say over there: “I also chose Courage as my One Word for 2011. Courage to go to some hard places that God is challenging me to go. But the biggest part for me is the courage to NOT betray my heart for the sake of what others expect from me. I sacrifice my heart to please others way more than I realized until recently. I’d like to change that this year. Thanks for sharing. May we both discover new levels of courage this year. Blessings to you”
@fromtracie says:
I just found this today on twitter, and I’m loving it.
My word for 2011 is Courage, and I linked my post up (#150 I like that, a nice round number)
Loved, just loved it!
I think “look” is gonna be my #oneword in 2011 too! :)
God bless you. Kisses from Brazil. :*
Sorry I’m late!
My word is closer
I want to grow closer to God this year
Closer to Dan this year
Closer with Conrad (or keep the closeness we have even as he grows older)
And close with our new little baby.
And I want there to be closeness amongst all of us.
I’m not sure how all of this will happen other than being intent on this and by Gods hand and grace.
So it has taken me several days to finally decide on a word because so many have been resonating with me. But I have finally decide that the word BROKEN is going to be my One Word. Honestly, I don’t know why I chose this word because who wants to be broken? But I feel like so many good things will come out of my life if only I was broken.
I want to be broken for the Lord, so that only He can repair me. I want to be broken from the needless things I fill my heart and life with. I want God to break me so that I may see the brokenness of this world and do something about it, instead of living in my own world. I want to be broken for the passions in my life so that I will finally get up the courage to chase after them, and to stop sitting back and waiting for them to happen. I guess all I’m saying is I want to be “BROKEN” in 2011.
Sorry I’m a bit late to the party with the official link up. My bad!
finally have my OneWord post up!
http://sohappytolove.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-oneword2011.html
Look is a really great word!!!!
My word is love. Last year it was risk, but now it’s time for love.
finally committing…i have known the word for weeks but if i write about it then i need to live it…ok….my word is HEALED
hi! I’m a new blogger and stumbled on your site. your story inspires me and couldn’t help but sign in on your One Word community. 2011 will be over in a couple of months and I’m not sure if i can still have my word. on a personal level though, I’d like my one word to be “grateful”. will blog about it soon.
late as it is, can i still join the one word community?
I (continue) to love this. So much.