This next One Word lesson begins with a journal entry from my 2013 rather reluctant word inquiry. Have you chosen your one word? Maybe it will fly into your life uninvited! Be ready to look, listen, and be amazed!
I wrote in my journal on December 10, “Perhaps I am at a crisis of faith…But I feel nothing. No anger, no joy, no passion, no excitement, no expectation, no hope…I am in a state of limbo. A bleak existence. For further clarification, I’m not mad at God…I just no longer expect anything.”
Limbo, indeed. The past year was like a slow-starting forest fire that became an incinerator for many of the hopes, dreams, and goals set in my heart. One continuous stop, drop, and roll of a year, putting out the fires that flared up from every side.
I was wordless by the end of the year. From my journal, “Last year (2012), I felt like I was drowning. This year (2013), I feel like I am hanging.” So, as I considered and weighed what is to come, and what has passed, and sensing God’s quietness, I assumed I had no word for the year. I mean, a word like “Limbo” does not catapult one into brainstorming goals and dreams for a new year. Honestly, after the words “Less” and “Release”...I wasn’t exactly telling God to lay it on me.
But, as I was sitting with Him one morning (or afternoon, don’t really remember), I was prompted in my reading to Romans 12:1-2. I had the sense that this was God’s “word” for me for this year-and for always – but it was a timely reminder. So, that’s not really one word, I thought to myself. Off the hook.
I began embracing this as my verse for the year and focus…and figured, meditating on His Word is never a bad thing, so may as well embrace this leading. Next thing I’m explaining to someone about how I am not having a “word” this year, and as I reiterated my verse, the weirdest thing happened. One Word, jumped out at me, and I felt my heart do a flip up into my throat, back down to my gut, and back into my chest. In a good way.
“I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
Yup. I tried to deny it…but it was unmistakable. And merciful. Renewal. Because after Less, and Release…I mean, one does not just WALK INTO MORDOR, willingly! Renewal seems a tad more optimistic than my previous words. I guess God knows when we are at the end of our rope!
A beautiful confirmation….
Later that evening, while walking by the sea wall with our dog, Banjo, and a friend on Saturday night, God sealed this sweet deal for me. Adjacent to us, a seagull sat on the seawall. I said aloud, “That is one fat Gull.” But, the minute the words left my lips, my eyes and brain coordinated, and I realized I was not looking at any gull. Before our very eyes, looking directly at us with a luminous stare, was the most beautiful Snowy Owl. I insisted we get as close as possible. Once we approached the bird, it flew up and landed on the electric line pole. Watching it fly upward from the wall was a beautiful gift that I accepted with joy!
Let me just share what I learned after a quick search when I got home. One small word that describes the symbolism of an owl: Renewal! I love my God, who is master of all and all creatures great and small.
Thank you for reading this latest series on My One Word. I hope it inspires you in seeking the Lord this holiday season as we head into a new year!
Enthusiastically, Dawn
Enthusiastically, Dawn 
7 responses to “One Word Lessons: Renewal”
Hi Dawn! Wh
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Thanks for sharing this with us. I have been thinking on this and your post helped me find a direction…I think Quite might be my word this year.
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Quite? Interesting…I look forward to hearing more. Not quiet, right?
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Looks like you are having trouble wth comments, Mary! I am sorry. Feel free to email me.
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Last year the word for me was “humility”…I didn’t learn “much” from it except remembering Jesus’ humility and reminding myself at moments to serve without credit. That is until after Thanksgiving when our newest granddaughter was born with a heart anomaly and required open heart surgery 2 weeks later.
So I am humbled…by God’s sovereignty, by the professionalism of the medical team, by my children’s peace, by the life force of a tiny girl and by caring for her 2 yr. old brother!
Wonder what God has in store for next year?! Waiting on His Word…
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Wow. Thank you for sharing, Lynn…may God continue to uphold you all in this season, as you wait on Him, and remain in His care. Prayers for a happy New Year.
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We appreciate the prayers, Dawn!
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