New year, new word

What’s your word for 2023?

I pick a new word every New Year’s to direct my thoughts and actions for the coming year. A theme word helps me focus on the upcoming year. Over the years, I’ve picked a variety of words to inspire my personal goals for the year. The words I choose always represent the work that God is presently doing in my life, or at least the work that needs to be done.

I rarely, probably never, accomplish the word for the year. But I think it points me in the right direction.

The key to finding the right word for any year is vulnerability and humility. If I don’t pick a word that challenges me to be open and teachable, I won’t learn anything, and I won’t change. And we all need to change.

My last year’s word was freedom. I’ve still got work in this area.

I still need freedom from bitterness, anxiety, and fear. I need freedom from negative thoughts. I need freedom from the pressure I allow in my life, from the perfectionism and the busyness.

My 2023 word will help me on this venture.

My next word is–

FORGIVENESS

It’s not flashy. It’s a little embarrassing. But it’s oh, so necessary, so I don’t mind sharing it. I need to share it.

Forgiveness is what we ignore when we’re hurting because we’re convinced that someone else is to blame for all our hurt and discomfort. (And they might be–but that’s not the point.)

Forgiveness is what we withhold because we think justice can’t be achieved if we forgive someone for their horrible actions. (But it’s not true.)

Forgiveness is what we don’t ask for because we’ve allowed shame to shape and define us (and it never should).

Forgiveness is the single most important factor in all human relationships. It is the essence and proof of love, which makes it stronger than love.

Why is forgiveness stronger than love?

Forgiveness keeps a marriage together.

Forgiveness welcomes the prodigal home.

Forgiveness gives the bully a chance to become the best, not worst, version of himself. It gives the impudent student the opportunity to learn respect and the stubborn child the freedom to obey from love instead of force.

Forgiveness acknowledges the weakness of humanity and the expansiveness of grace.

Forgiveness is the ticket to freedom from all the things that plague me.

Forgiveness frees me from bitterness, resentment, self-pity, blame-shifting, worry, self-consciousness.  I can give grace and receive grace. I can live without getting stuck in past memories, past hurts, and past perspectives.

Just Disciple gives this is the definition of forgiveness:

What is biblical forgiveness? Biblical forgiveness is the process of forgiving someone or being forgiven as illustrated in the Bible. Forgiveness itself is defined as the letting go of sin. In the Bible, this includes forgiving everyone, every time, of everything, as an act of obedience and gratefulness to God. It acknowledges the sacrifice God made through His Son Jesus who died to restore the relationship between God and man. Forgiveness does not mean excusing, forgetting, permitting repetition of the sinful act against you, or guaranteeing reconciliation with the perpetrator.

God lets go of my wrong-doing. I let go of someone else’s wrong-doing. The cycle of forgiveness continues.

And freedom reigns.

Happy New Year to whatever you’re planning to release this year for a healthier life.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15)