Each year I choose a word that I concentrate on for the year. This word helps me to focus on spiritual development and deepens my relationship with Jesus.

This year I’ve chosen the word “be.” Originally I thought this would be a good word because I sometimes tend to get caught up in the prep, the details, the planning of an event or even my day. So this word would help me to take my focus off some of the minute details and focus on being. Right there. Right then. In the moment.

As my thoughts continued down this path, I wondered if I could add a word each week to focus on. After some deeper thinking, I knew this addition would be good for the year. So I set out to come up with 52 words or thoughts to add to the word “be.” Here are a few of them.

Be inspired

Be content

Be holy

Be alive

Be blessed

Be strengthened

Be hopeful

Be purposeful

Be teachable

Be prayerful

Be grateful

But then I took it one step further. For each of these I added a verse or passage of Scripture to help me through the week. I read my “be” word and then the Scripture each morning and throughout my day. For an entire week.

This has been such a blessing to me. I didn’t plan out the entire year, just around Christmas and Easter, but what I’ve loved is how God has placed these words exactly when I’ve needed them most.

The week a good friend passed away, my word for the week was “be strong.” The week I struggled with identity, my word for the week was “be enough.” The week I wanted more, my word for the week was “be content.” The week I was super busy, my word for the week was “be patient.”

Probably the hardest week to understand my word was when I was in isolation for 10 days. My word for the week was “be serving.” How could I possibly serve when I was in my bedroom completely isolated from everyone? How could God possibly use me under these circumstances?

That week I learned that there are many ways to serve. Phone calls, Zoom meetings, Facebook live, emails, text messages were all ways I could serve. So I took the verse for the week and did what I could. Ephesians 6:7 tells us to, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” I was able to do everything that week with a renewed attitude and understanding of serving.

Perhaps you are struggling today. Maybe you don’t feel useful. Maybe you are lonely. Maybe you feel hopeless. Maybe you aren’t motivated. Whatever is happening in your life, I pray that you will look to the Lord for comfort, peace and purpose. Only Jesus can provide all that you need. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Lean into God’s Word to find encouragement today. You will find all you need. If you would like a list of my “be” words with Scripture, just let me know. I’d be happy to share it with you.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna