Word of the Year
by Tina Yeager
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path”
(Psalm 119:105, NIV).
The blank page glared. A void pierced my thoughts and burrowed, deepening the ache within my chest. Chapters, outlines, and scenes had eluded me this season, but my calendar awaited another sort of inspiration. Something smaller, yet infinitely greater.
After a literary drought, I sought a single word.
Others had received one to guide their purpose and vision at the turn of the year. My soul longed for a syllable or two, a heavenly utterance to define my year. I pleaded for God to provide a focal term for my writing and ministry goals. But after weeks of prayer, the white space remained barren.
You know I’m a life coach, Lord. Lacking a plan seems more than ironic.
I asked why he had withheld that inspiration from me when the tradition had served as a beacon to so many others.
As I began writing this devotion, the Lord poured Psalm 119:105 and John 1:1 into my mind to satisfy my inner yearning.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105, NIV).
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, NIV).
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with centering on a word for the year. But whether or not I ever receive the traditional syllables, the Lord has invited me to focus on him. This year. Every year.
I had more than I needed to guide my writing journey, after all.
God knew I needed something more powerful than the goals I could set with my skills as a life coach or writer. I needed to walk into the coming season in blind faith.
My New Year’s goal has shifted from tradition to trust. And, in reflection, I’m grateful for the prayer God didn’t answer as I had hoped.
Father, thank you for reminding me that you are the word of life. Guide each of my steps in writing and ministry. I have no vision to show me the way I’m going, but I’m so thankful to share this journey with you. Amen.
Award-winning author, speaker, licensed counselor, and life coach, Tina encourages audiences to fulfill their potential. She offers writing workshops through Serious Writer Academy, hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast, and is head mentor with Word Weavers International. Beautiful Warrior, her book on women’s esteem is available through New Hope Publishers. To connect with her, visit tinayeager.com.
Great devotion today Tina. Blessings,
Thanks so much for your kind words, David! May the Lord bless your work this week!
I think your word is my word, Him. I just want to be so mesmerized by Him, that even with a nuclear world war, I would not take my eyes off Him. I’m visual and sometimes need a picture to see things clearly. I keep thinking of the scene from Cowboys and Aliens movie where they sneak inside and find all their people gazing up into the light without the ability in themselves to turn away. I want to be like that with God, knowing He is for my good and not my demise. Thanks for the timely word!
I love your perspective of keeping my WORD as the Word Himself, Sally! And your insights about gazing into the LIGHT without turning away are so poignant and inspiring! Thanks for sharing your beautiful comments. I always love hearing from you!