![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/DSC02392m.jpg\")
<\/a>It is a new year and maybe you\u2019ve thought through the idea of resolutions or goals or something else to do for this upcoming year. If you recall, there was a book that came out several years ago called \u201cOne Word.\u201d It could be something that needed to improve in your life or where you wanted your focus to be for the year.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
This idea has caught on and it seems everyone is doing it. So, I thought I\u2019d try it this year. I did a couple of tests online to see if I could find the right word. Nothing. I prayed about it. Still nothing. I even did a week-long analysis of my life to find my word. Nope, not there either. None of the words I read about or thought of on my own really captured what I felt was the most important word to work on for this coming year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Then it happened.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In my \u201cThoroughly Equipped\u201d group, we had some discussion on spiritual disciplines. One of the big questions we discussed was, \u201cHow can I find time?\u201d We looked at Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and the account of when she sat at Jesus\u2019 feet instead of helping Martha in the preparation for the meal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Do you recall Jesus\u2019 words? He told Martha that Mary had chosen what was better.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what the \u201cThoroughly Equipped\u201d authors had to say about this idea. \u201cThis phrase \u2018Mary has chosen\u2019 does not mean that Mary was blessed with a more spiritual sensitivity than her sister. Rather, she chose to set aside pressing demands to spend time with Jesus.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe phrase, \u2018what is better,\u2019 means that Mary chose based on her discernment of what was more valuable. The Greek word used communicates the idea of choosing the best dish on the table<\/u>. Mary had plenty of choices, yet, she chose what would nourish and satisfy the most.\u201d[i]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Best Dish on The Table.<\/em> Let\u2019s say you\u2019re at a family gathering and all the wonderful cooks in your family have prepared a massive feast for the group. But you can only choose one dish to take food from. Which dish is the best dish on the table? How do you determine the best dish? Taste? Nutritional value? What is your criteria for making that choice?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clearly Mary made the right choice. She spent time at Jesus\u2019 feet listening to and learning from him. Martha made a good choice\u2026we will always need Martha\u2019s in our world. But Mary made the better choice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Back to my one word. As soon as read this article and these words, I knew my one word for the year. Choice. I need to work on the choices I make. And as I\u2019m thinking about choices, I always need to relate back to choosing the best dish on the table.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maybe you have thought about this and have your one word. YAY for you! Maybe you have already given up on your one word. Or maybe you\u2019ve never thought of it before.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wherever you are in this process, I would encourage you to not only come up with your one word, but that you would also share your one word with someone. Your best friend. Your spouse. A co-worker. Your dentist. I don\u2019t know, share it with someone. What I do know is whether we make resolutions or goals or choose one word for the year, we do better at reaching or maintaining them when we share with another person.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I pray that you will allow God to be part of this process. I know that by spending time with Him daily and digging deep into His Word, I found my word. Now to get on with making the best choices this year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donna<\/p>\n