2018 is here!  In fact, it arrived a few days ago.  Are you ready?  Were you ready?  

I wasn’t exactly and still working on it.

If I’m being honest, I didn’t have everything planned out when January 1 rolled around.  

Take this post, for instance.  I didn’t even start it until January 1st.  Everyone else had published their year in review and goals blog, and this was nothing more than a few ideas in my head.

And then there was my word and my verse for the year.  

For the last few years, I’ve identified a word that I felt like would be my focus for the year and I’d choose a Bible verse to go along with it.  Although I started sharing my word in some of my blogging groups, I was still struggling on December 30 if that was really the right one.  

And my verse?   Well I had a few I was looking at but I was still struggling.  

It took some quiet time on New Year’s Day to find what I felt like I had been looking for.  

Suffice it to say, I’m rolling into 2018 a little more slowly than I normally do.  

2018 is here! I'm a little late to the party. #happynewyear #2018 #oneword Click To Tweet

I’m usually prepared for everything…..anything…..all the time.  But I just wasn’t quite this year.

I needed a little downtime at the end of 2017, and I didn’t want to force something.  I started to look at what other people were doing and attempted to get plans and programs ready to go, but my heart wasn’t in it so instead I stepped away.  

We have an entire year.  We don’t have to have it all done and planned out in one day.  

I shared Isaiah 43:18-19 over the weekend:  

Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!

Having said that, I’m not going to spend a long time with a year in review.  Instead here’s a quick recap of my 2017.  

My word was FOCUS with a goal to keep my eyes on Jesus.  My verse was Hebrews 12:2…..fixing my eyes on Jesus.  

I shared devotions during Lent that I ended up compiling into a book that I published in September 2017.  I’m still humbled by the support and the response and that He entrusted me with a message to share with others.  

I was able to run more consistently with less knee pain as I began to adjust to having arthritis in my knees.  I did what was likely my final Indy Mini, but I know I have many more miles and races in me.  

Now I’m looking ahead to 2018.  I’m easing into it this week.  There need be no rush.  I do feel that I have a direction and a Bible verse to help guide me.  

There's no need to rush into 2018. Let's ease into it with a sustainable plan. #goals Click To Tweet

My word:  Clarity

I feel that I need to get crystal clear on the message God has given me and the people He has called me to serve so that the right person will hear and be helped by it.*   

My verse:  Psalm 143:8

“Cause me to hear your loving-kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.”

I believe my word and my verse go together well.  One of the changes I want to make this year is to take notes during my quiet time.  I’m not saying I’m going to journal, but I want to record one takeaway from my morning time with the Lord.  Instead of rushing through a prayer or Bible study, I want to listen and apply what He is telling me.  And when I listen and apply, then I become more clear on His direction and calling on my life.  

My word and my verse will be my anchor for the year.  As I move through this year, I will use that as a gauge to help me determine if it’s the right step I need to take.  

Let your #oneword be your anchor for #2018 Click To Tweet

Some things I have in mind that I’d like to do are:

• Write a study guide for “40 Days of Faith and Fitness”
• Publish a Christmas devotional
• Improve my running times
• Unplug more often, especially on weekends

I think those are all good things to pursue, but if God leads me in a different direction I want to be obedient.  

So, it’s okay if you’re not quite ready for 2018.  No one says you have to hit the ground running.  It’s okay to ease into the new year.  We have many days ahead.  This life is a journey and all we need to do is keep moving forward, with our eyes on Jesus.   

And if you have stumbled upon this blog or if you’ve been here since I started over 2 years ago, please let me know what you have found helpful and what you’re looking for to support you on your faith and fitness journey this year.  

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