Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe 2017 is here already!
For many of us a new year means a new word to focus on. If you haven’t encountered this before, the idea is that instead of making a list of New Year’s resolutions, you pick one word to focus on throughout the year. I tried it for the first time last year with the word surrender and it was more powerful than I’d ever have imagined. You can find the posts about my year of surrender here.
As I considered a word for 2017 I found it hard to narrow down. The main words I considered were focus and courage, with dream and identity also in the running. I finally settled on a word which is probably a bit unusual as a word for the year, but which I think encompasses elements of all the other words.
My word for 2017 is…voice.
I’m not sure exactly how it’s going to work out in practice (but I’ve learned to surrender so that’s okay 😉 )
Here are some of my initial thoughts:
It starts with listening: listening to God’s voice, recognising his voice, actively choosing to focus on his voice, the voice of truth, in the midst of all the other voices clamouring for my attention, and then stepping out in obedience to his voice.
“The sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3 NLT)
It’s also about listening to others: letting them know that their voices matter, taking the time to really listen and really hear them, especially those who don’t feel like they have a voice.
Then it’s about speaking: “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven… A time to be quiet and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7 NLT)
It’s about finding my voice more and more- discerning when God is calling me to be quiet and when he is calling me to speak out, and finding the courage to do that.
I don’t mean only in the big things. Words have tremendous power- for good or for evil. That is something God has impressed on me more and more lately, and I want to be more ready to speak out words that are good- to be intentional about giving out compliments and encouragement, to give voice to these things rather than just thinking them but remaining silent.
It’s also about sharing what God has done- being a voice of truth and hope, especially to people who feel trapped and hopeless.
A verse that has been on my heart for several years now is:
“What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” (Matthew 10:27)
It is part of the reason I started this blog, and I was so encouraged to look at my stats for 2016 and find that there have been visitors from 62 countries! I guess I’ve made a start on shouting it abroad, but I think part of what God is calling me to this year is using my voice more to tell others about him, both in writing and in speaking.
Two other verses I have been drawn to in connection with this are:
“Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.” (Psalm 107:2 NLT)
“Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT)
That is about as clear an idea as I have at the moment, but after last year’s experience I am excited to see where all this will lead in the year ahead. I know that the first step will definitely be taking time to be still and listen to God’s voice.
Do you have a word for the year? I’d love to hear what it is! The comments section here is a place where your voice is always welcome!
Thank you for your encouraging and inspiring post to kick off the new year!! The Lord laid “HOPE” on my heart for 2017, and I am eager to see all that He has in store as the year unfolds for us all.
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Happy New Year, Anna! I’m glad it encouraged you. Hope is a great word- it will be exciting to see how that works out too.
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I love your word for 2017 and look forward to seeing God reveal more! My word for 2017 is Expect and there are layers as well, but the main one is to expect God in all things to be with me and for me (especially when I’m experiencing fear or anxiety). Blessings to you in 2017 Lesley as you use your voice to shine His light into the darkness! Happy New Year!
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Thanks, Michelle. I love the word Expect. While a lot about the year ahead is unknown, we can expect God to be with us to guide and help us. I hope you have a wonderful 2017. I’m encouraged by how you use your voice to speak truth and shine God’s light into the darkness too.
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What an exciting word! Looking forward to reading in 2017 to see what plans God has for you in relation to hearing His voice — and using yours!
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Thanks, Michele. I look forward to seeing how it will work out. Happy New Year to you and blessings for 2017!
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I’m using the word Act. Blessed 2017 to you!
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That’s a great word too, Sarah! Happy New Year and best wishes for the year ahead!
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can’t wait to hear your voice ring bold and true …
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Thanks for all your encouragement, Linda. Happy New Year!
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I have certainly heard your voice and looked forward to what it says. My word is nurture.
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Thanks, Gabriele. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you through our blogs and love reading your thoughts too. I like your choice of word and look forward to reading more.
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Ooh, I love the word Voice as your choice! I’ve chosen “Story” which relates quite well to voice. Looking forward to how God will work through these choices in 2017!
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That’s great, Lisa! I really like the word story too and I’ll be interested to read about how that works out for you this year. Happy New Year!
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This is fab Lesley. Really looking forward to see what God has for you this year. My word is “freedom”. My goal is to break free from anything that doesn’t honour my spirit, starting with my job.
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Thanks, Chloe! Look forward to seeing how your word works out too. Praying that God will show you the way forward with decisions about your job.
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What a great word. I love the uniqueness of this word. My word for 2017 is hope.
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Thanks, Tara. Hope is a brilliant word and a great focus for the year. Look forward to reading more. Happy New Year!
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Great choice. I am with you in realizing the power of words–and i love your focus on discerning when to listen and when to speak. My word is attentive.
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Thanks for visiting, Carol, and for your words of encouragement here. I like your choice of word too.
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Lesley, you are SO creative! I love that word “voice,” and all its applications: God’s voice, listening to others, and finding our own. Love this!
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Thanks, Betsy. I love your focus on the word Jesus too!
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Oh dear Leslie., I love this!
Praying you find your voice and hear His voice too.
As you said with voice comes listening.
Blessings to you and Happy New Year
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Thanks, Ifeoma. Blessings to you too and Happy New Year!
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I love how you incorporated God, others, you into this thought! Such a great post. God bless!
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Thanks, Liz, I’m glad you liked it. Blessings for 2017!
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This is lovely! I’ve known since September that my 2017 word would be INVEST. God is showing me how that applies to all areas of my life – Invest in heaven, my family, my health, my community, my business, and my peace. Blessings to you as God makes His voice clear to you and refines your voice this year!
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Thanks, Liz. Invest is a great word- and I love how focussing on a single word can impact so many areas of our lives but it somehow seems more manageable than a list of resolutions. Blessings for 2017!
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Awesome! What an exciting year you have ahead of you! Thanks for sharing what you are seeing so far. It’s encouraging. 🙂 Thanks also for visiting my blog today! Blessings to you, Lesley! 🙂
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Thanks, Kelly! I’m glad you found it encouraging. Blessings to you too!
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I love your word for 2017, Lesley. This really resonates with me. I so want to listen more to God’s voice and to others. Also to find my own voice more and more. So I’m praying with you on this! Love and hugs!
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Thanks, Trudy! So glad you’re joining with me in this. Blessings and hugs to you!
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I love reading about everyone’s word of the year. Yours is very unique because I am not sure that I have seen others who have chosen “voice” before. I believe it does begin with listening to God’s voice. I am excited to see where this journey takes you. I will reveal my word next week. Happy New Year!
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Thanks, Mary! It is really interesting to discover all the different words people have chosen and to see how they work out throughout the year. Look forward to reading about your word next week!
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Oh, Lesley, this sounds like it will be a transformational year for you! I like your unique word. I look forward to reading what God teaches you and what He dos through you in the coming year.
My word is Intentional. I know God has many things to teach me. And I’m going to be doing a lot of seeking Him to learn how to live intentionally as He wants me to.:)
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Thanks, Jeanne. It will be interesting to see how it works out. I like your choice of word too and I think seeking God is always a good starting point whatever word we have.
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Choosing to listen to God’s voice above all is definitely something I need to work on. Great post!
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Thanks, Nicole! I’m sure listening to God’s voice above all the others is something we could all be better at. I’m definitely hoping to learn to do that more this year.
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I love the WORD you chose for 2017, very unique. Your post was very encouraging! I love reading all the different WORDS that the Lord has given to everyone in the comments. The WORD the Lord gave me was ABIDE. Happy New year! Linking up with Tell His Story.
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Thanks, Tammy! I’m glad the post encouraged you and I agree, it is really interesting to discover the different words everyone has chosen and the reasons behind them. Thanks for sharing your word too- abide is a great focus. Happy New Year!
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Voice will be an interesting word for this year. I love the different ways you are approaching this. My word this year is Now. Blessings on your New Year.
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Thanks, Ginger! I like your word too- it will be interesting to see how it works out. Happy New Year!
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I loved reading your thoughts on surrender and your new word for 2017. My family and I always seek the Lord’s will together and try to come up with our word. So far, we have some ideas, but the Lord has not made anything real clear. I am sure He will, in due time. Until then, we wait. God bless you abundantly in this new year, Lesley!
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Thanks, Cheryl. I love the idea of having the same focus as a family, and you’re wise to wait until God makes it clear. Happy New Year!
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I love this Lesley! And what you’ve already gleaned from this one word. I think you’re off to a fantastic start in 2017.
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Thanks, Debby! Happy New Year- hope you have a wonderful 2017!
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I haven’t always “officially” chosen a word for the year. At least not right at the beginning of the year. I always enjoy reading about other people’s words.
This year I do have one and it is “Steadfast”. I’m joining in at The LPM blog for Scripture memorization and the focus of my verses this year will be on steadfastness.
Happy 2017!
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It is really interesting to read about all the different words people have selected. I like the word steadfast, and the idea of memorising verses that tie in with it. That’s something I’m planning to do too. Hope you have a great 2017!
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Hi Lesley,
I love your word! It’s unusual and yet as you shared what it means to you, it felt so right and so exciting! I’m looking forward to read what God shows you about that word in the year ahead. Listening for God’s voice is truly an act of discipline but so magnificent when we hear words just for us, through his word or prayer or through the voices of others. Happy 2017! xo
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Thanks, Valerie! It does take discipline to listen for God’s voice but it is so worth the effort. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Happy 2017 to you too!
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Lesley, I guess I’ve never paid much attention to Matthew 10:27 … what a great verse, and what a wonderful word for 2017. I love how it’s so multi-faceted–listening to God and others, knowing when to speak and when to be quiet, giving a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves–so powerful! I will be looking forward to seeing how this all takes shape for you this year! 🙂
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Thanks, Lois. It’s funny how different verses stand out to different people. There is a lot to the word “voice” and it will be interesting to see how it works out. Blessings for a great 2017!
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Oooh I like your word! I love seeing what people choose for their word and I think this is the first time I have ever heard anyone choose voice! I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds these next 365 days!! Happy new year, friend!
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Thanks, Kylie! It is interesting to see all the different words. I haven’t heard anyone else choose voice before either! Happy New Year, and hope you have a great 2017!
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Hi Lesley, I loved reading your post and learned so much from the verses you shared. Learning to listen and what to say when we do speak is an art we all need to acquire. My phrase for 2017 — Beauty for Ashes.
Blessings!
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Thanks, I’m glad you found it helpful! I love the phrase you’ve chosen and how God can transform brokenness into beauty. Hope you have a great 2017!
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I love that you chose Voice. I don’t think I’ve seen that word come up before. You are in for an interesting journey I am sure. My word for 2017 is “Let Go.” God is teaching me that I am constantly grasping for control over all the things. I’m in a season and place where God is giving me little control over nothing and it has been frustrating. He is also giving me a growing list of things to “let go” of.
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Thanks, Deanna. I haven’t heard of anyone else who has chosen Voice either.
I’m sure your journey with “Let Go” will be interesting too. Last year my word was “Surrender” which is pretty close to that and it did involve giving up control of various things, It definitely wasn’t always easy but I’m glad I had that focus and God used it to do a lot of work in me. Look forward to seeing how things work out for you- hope you have a great 2017!
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Hi Lesley,
I am here from Bonnie’s link up (Faith Barista) I really enjoyed reading your post and how God is speaking to you to listen carefully to his voice and also to be courageous to speak out what he is giving you. I also really appreciated how you described being careful to listen well to others and showing God’s love and care for them in this way. God is speaking to me in similar ways and I hope to share more together throughout this year.
Thank you for the powerful verses that you have shared as well. They are a great blessing.
God bless you,
Susan
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Susan, thanks for visiting. I’m glad you liked the post and that God is speaking to you about similar things. And thanks for sending the link to the article- it was interesting to read and I love how something as simple as being listened to has been proven to have such an amazing effect on people. Blessings!
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Lesley, my friend sent me this link and I thought of what you had written and thought you might enjoy it.
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oops here is the link… Susan http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/friendship-bench-proven-alleviate-mental-illness-symptoms/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=04-01-2017
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