reflecting on the year of “now”

I’ve been thinking for the past month about my one word for 2014 and its fruit in my life this past year.  NOW is the word I chose.  I had a desire to be more aware in the moment, less preoccupied about the future or the past, more in tune with the Lord and others.  More prompt about follow through on certain tasks.

I had certain actions identified in advance.  When someone was meeting with me in my office, all electronics are pushed away- only a sheet of paper and pen in front of me to help with notes for memory or listening.  Going through my day meant keeping an eye out for opportunities that God was laying in front of me- people who needed encouragement or help.

While all that was good, my main lessons came from becoming aware of my emotions and attitudes, hearing my words, and watching my actions. I was in touch with my motives on a wholly other level. What a mix- self, self, Christ.  So many efforts to still try to earn something on my own, to be or prove something, to show that I knew something that hadn’t been said yet.  Oh, that need.

My biggest aha was the realization that I put things off when I’m not sure that I’m doing something the best way.  My internal conflict between “get it done” and “do it right” was right there in front of me in the smallest of tasks, because doing things right is my go to saving device.

“NOW” made me pay attention to the stuff in my heart.  It was a “pull back the curtain and see the little man” kind of word. It did its work in creating awareness in the moment, in revealing the deeper stuff, just not in ways I anticipated.  NOW has set up a path for leaning on Jesus in fresh ways, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.

“The great mistake made by most of the Lord’s people is in hoping to discover in themselves that which is to be found in Christ alone.”

                                                         —Arthur W. Pink

 

How did your “one word” work for you in 2014?