Movement
I love hearing what people choose for their word for the year, or for some, a more general focus for what they want in the year to come – it’s like a little glimpse into their story and the path they are on. I find it helpful to write down some thoughts about my word, so this is what I’ve done here. It helps to solidify the word and its application for me, and it’s also something to go back to throughout the year as a reminder.
My word for the year is MOVEMENT. When I first chose this word in December, I was excited. Yes! 2024 will be a year of movement! Then January came, and I didn’t like the word. “Is it really the right word for me? Maybe I should go through that process again.” Because movement is hard. And not comfortable for me. It takes effort. Sigh, that is exactly why movement is the right word for me. But let’s back up a bit.
When I choose a word for the year, I look up the definition to make sure it’s a good fit and to help determine how I can apply the word to my life. Some of the definitions of movement that I highlighted are:
a change of position
the ability or capacity to move
an occasion when something develops or changes
the act of moving forward
At this point in the process, I am still loving the word. Sounds like a great year ahead! It’s the application, and ironically — the movement required — where my enthusiasm starts to wane.
Because both my job (sitting at a desk in my home office) and my hobbies (sitting in a chair reading or writing) are sedentary, my body needs movement! But it’s not something I’m naturally inclined to or drawn to. Couch potato is something I naturally aspire to. That is my happy place. However, our “happy places” aren’t always the best for us. The adage “too much of a good thing” applies here. So, physical movement is at the top of my list for 2024.
Let’s continue. I also considered the other areas of my life: emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual.
Since September, my husband and I have been in the Freedom Session program at our church. It’s been good, challenging, and very revealing. Although at 56, I’ve already worked through a lot of past wounds, the “working through” didn’t always bring complete healing or freedom. And I’ve realized that sometimes God wants to do deeper work so that He can heal that area completely. 2024 will be a continuation of this healing work. Emotionally, I’m believing for a change of position, a moving on and moving forward.
Relationally – one-on-one relationships and community relationships. In all honestly, I like to be sedentary in this area as well. I’m content with the relationships I have and where they’re at. They are comfortable and safe. But God has been nudging me to “step out” more, get more involved in my community, and also work on some relationships. This, like the physical movement, takes effort on my part, intention, and discipline. Cue —“Is it really the right word for me?” But I know God is calling me to movement — an occasion when something develops or changes — in this area.
Mentally – this is one area in which I’m not sedentary. My mind is always active, but I want to change some things, so there are two ways I will pursue movement in this area. I want to be more thoughtful and intentional with my reading – both with what I’m reading and doing afterward. I bought a “book journal” (link here) to track each book I read – what I thought about it, favourite quotes, etc. This has already changed my behaviour and attention when I’m reading. The other change is with writing. Last year was mostly filled with writing short-form social media posts. I miss long-form writing, and I’m realizing that short-form writing is closely linked to a short attention span, something I want to fight against. My intention for 2024 is to build my capacity for long-form thinking and writing, which only happens by doing more.
Movement spiritually – this has a few applications for me. I want to incorporate more worship into my morning time with God. This entails getting out of my chair, putting on worship music, praising, dancing, kneeling, or whatever I’m called to in that moment. Here, I see Jesus holding out His hand and inviting me out of that chair. Another path is movement in what I am praying for – healing, salvation, a closer walk. I am believing for changes and movement forward in so many areas.
So that is my word – MOVEMENT. Love it or hate it, excited or uncomfortable, I am embracing movement for 2024. I know if I am faithful to at least try in these areas, God is so much more faithful and capable, and there will be movement and outcomes beyond what I can see.
And I pray that for you this year as well. May you have the courage and faith to step into what God is calling you to, believing He will meet you there and walk with you on the path.
My verses for my word:
For in Him we live and move and have our being; Acts 17:28 (AMPC)
Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 (AMPC)
I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. Philippians 3:13-14 (AMPC)
