I’ve decided on my word for the year.

Typically, people choose a word to describe a year that has passed. Not this time. This time, I’m starting the year with this word right in front of me.

I first started thinking about my word when I came across this site:

(Click on the graphic above to learn more about ONEWORD 2011)

At first, I had a difficult time narrowing my options down so I could just have one. But finally, in light of all the changes that have been happening in my life right now, I chose this one:

COURAGE.

Since the day I arrived in California, God has been reminding me over and over again of this verse: “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6). Every day, with every new experience, I have to keep saying to myself: “Be strong and courageous!”

When I first drove on the freeway, I had to tell myself: “Be strong and courageous.”
As I was driving to school: “Be strong and courageous.”
When I entered our classroom for the first time: “Be strong and courageous.”

I say it at least once every day that I just decided to take COURAGE and run with it.

The funny thing with courage is that it looks different for each person. It’s possible that a bold move for one person would just be a typical move for the other. For the person who likes to stay put, it’s more difficult to move. For the person who is used to jumping around, it’s more difficult to stay. When I’m faced with options, I have to ask myself these two questions: “Which would be the safe and easy option?” and “Which option would I choose if I truly believed that God was with me?” The answer to the first question would be the choice of comfort. The answer to the second would be the choice of courage.

One of my classmates expresses his courage in a unique way: he decided that this ENTIRE year, whenever he eats at a restaurant, he will not look at the menu. Instead, he’ll just ask the waiter or the waitress what he or she would order, and then he’ll go ahead and order that. He said that most of his meals have been great, and he’s tried some pretty amazing meals that he would have probably never ordered if he had the choice. Sometimes the chefs even whip up something for him that isn’t on the menu. Isn’t that an awesome idea? What a way to live!

I’ve been so inspired to live with courage, that I’ve recently made some decisions based on that, and so far, I’ve had no regrets. I’ve been able to make new friends and try new things, and most importantly, I’ve been able to experience God’s grace in new ways. I’m sure there will be moments where living this way will be difficult, but I know that making the decision to be courageous is better than playing it safe and never making the decision at all.

I love how Beth Moore puts it: “No amount of comfort is worth missing the greatest adventure humankind can experience.” I don’t want to miss out on all that God has in store for me!

“Be strong and let your heart take courage,
All you who hope in the LORD.”
- Psalm 31:24 (NASB)

How about you? If you could choose your own word for the year, what would it be?

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In case you missed it, I’m giving out Planetshakers tickets and CDs from Becca Music, Inc. You have until February 1 to get a chance to snag one of the prizes! To find out more, check out this post.