GO – A New Spiritual Practice

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GO

Go is my word of the year.  I wrote about this practice last week but today want to expand on how this word will guide me in 2021.

At first I thought this was too simplistic, but I kept hearing it. Feeling its energy.  This word invites me forward with hope, liveliness, and power.

GO symbolizes a new spiritual practice for me. As I prayed about choosing a word for the year, God (interesting to pay attention to the first two letters in the word GOD) asked me to watch for his grace.  To daily watch for his touch, gifts, presence throughout the day.  Grace Observed. In essence this mean to ask myself: Where am I seeing grace each day?

Grace Observed draws my eyes from my ego, self-pity, and what I don’t have or what I have lost and helps me see grace in every place. To appreciate all that God provides – visible and invisible. Forgotten, then remembered. Cherished instead of neglected.

I have had fun playing with this word – another confirmation of this power in this word and always fun for a writer. What else could GO stand for?  I know some of these phrases will pop up during this year as it companions me.

God Only

Go with boldness.

Letting Go.

Get up and go.

Go for it.

Go the distance

Generous One

Gentle Order

Gutsy Opportunity.

Grateful and Overjoyed

I was asked last week if a Bible verse accompanies this word. What fun it has been talking with God about this and which verse emerged as a key one for 2021. Here is the verse that triumphed:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1: 9 (NIV)

  • “Have I not commanded you?” I am being obedient to God’s command.
  • I hear encouragement to be strong and courageous. To proceed, even when I am anxious to take the risk to reach out.
  • Go is the leader, not fear. This word drives the car, not discouragement.  The devil knows me well and uses fear and discouragement to slow me down and at times, completely upends me.
  • The Word reminds me that God is with me where I am, emphasizing my word for the year.

I am excited about this practice of choosing a word each year, allowing it to marinate and grow in my life. God certainly stretched us all in that chaos of 2020, but his faithfulness and presence stayed with us.  Grace Observed.

What does the word GO say to you? Any other insights into this word?

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Comments

  1. blankLisa notes says

    What a perfect verse for your word, Jean! I love it. That’s one of my favorite verses because I need it so much. “Go” would be quite an intimidating word for me right now, so I’ll be watching your journey with interest. 🙂

  3. blankNancy Ruegg says

    I am amazed by your list of phrases, built on the foundation of G and O! Your two-letter word may be small, but it’s reaping you much fruit of wisdom. I especially appreciate Grace Observed. You are so right: the discipline of intentional observation, looking for God’s grace, helps us to notice and cherish the ways he ministers to us each day. It’s a delightful, encouraging, faith-building practice!

    • blankJean Wise says

      The phrases have been fun and hopefully will blossom even more throughout the year. There is life in finding the right word, isn’t there?

  4. blankMartha Jane Orlando says

    Jean, you are certainly reaping the benefits of your word for the year already. And that verse from Joshua is one of my absolute favorites. Wherever we go, God goes with us – such comfort, especially in these dark days!
    Blessings!