2013 – THE YEAR TO LIVE

2012 – The Year to Live

by Janis Cox

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Last year I chose the word “trust” as my word for the year. It meant a lot to me having that word wrapped around me. I will continue to keep that word close to my heart.

This year I prayed and prayed for one word. What I finally came up with is LIVE. For the past couple of weeks everything I have read and heard has pointed to this.

“A person’s days are determined;
you have decreed the number of his months
and have set limits he cannot exceed” (Job 4:15 NIV).

If this is true, and I take it to be true – God already has my days on earth planned – how many days I will be here and when I will be with Him. So each day God is giving me a gift of life here on earth. That brought to mind the words of Let there be Peace on Earth. “Take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.”

I checked out the difference between “existence” and “living”?

Existence – “the fact or state of being”. Its antonym is non-existence which is death.

Living – “possessing life – full of life; the condition of being alive”. The antonym is still death.

To me living – is more active. Full of life.

I want to live – I don’t want to just exist.

In order to do this I need Jesus – I need:

  • to NOT fear
  • be brave
  • dance as though no one is watching
  • boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before

“Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV).

Dolores Ayotte, an author friend who has written 4 books, has a slogan “Live, Laugh and Love”. I like that. I have seen it on rugs, wall hangings, pictures.

Here is my attempt at a Haiku poem:

Live

Laugh, love

Observe, Listen, Touch

Open my eyes to wonder

Breathe

And I love Acrostic poems too.

L – Look to

I – Initiate

V – Vitality

E – Everyday

This year I will be observing as much as I can. I want to be Wonderstruck – with all that God is doing around me – in people, in governments, in nature, in life. I will be LIVING the year of 2013.

I want to LIVE astounded by God.

What is your WORD FOR 2013? Feel free to share below.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for all you do. Thank You for opening my eyes to see more and more of what You want me to see. Thank You for leading me to all the wonderful Christ followers who want to learn more about you. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Linking in to:

Jan Cox

Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. Jan has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the watercolour illustrator. Word Alive has published Tadeo Turtle. See more information at Jan’s Website.

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6 comments

  1. I just joined in on the One Word 2013 blog hop. I’m visiting from Create With Joy. You have picked a fantastic word to guide you into the new year! My word for 2013 is ‘Embrace’. I hope you will stop by for a visit.

  2. I say amen to all what you’ve written. After reading your posting, I choose Observe as the word for me to live by this year. I’m someone who hasn’t cultivated the skill of observation and so I’d like to grasp this word and observe what God wants me to observe and grow as a faithful servant as well as an inscriber for Him. Thank you for your insight.

  3. Hello Jan, this post is a blessing. I especially appreciated your comparison between “living” and “existence”. It’s truly amazing that many of us, myself included, tend to exist more than we live. Thanks for this encouraging post. I am making it a point to live intentionally for Jesus from today.

    God bless you !

    1. Wow Gertrude you have made my day. My prayer is always to speak to someone from God. I love to encourage and I think that is where God is heading me. May you look back next year and see 2013 as a year of growth and living for Jesus.
      Blessings and thanks for the comment,
      Jan

  4. Nancy,
    So wonderful… wonder – ful … to meet you. Yes, I believe we are on the same track this year – step out, be aware, and live in wonder. I loved reading the first part of Margaret Feinberg’s book Wonderstruck – that brought me into the reality of seeing God in perfect wonder. I haven’t received the full copy yet but looking forward to it.
    Blessings to you,
    Janis

  5. Good post, Jan. When we allow ourselves to be “astounded by God” we are truly living, and He is truly glorified. My word for 2013, as you know, is “discovery”. To walk in an attitude of discovery every day with the Lord. And, like you, to be astounded by what He reveals. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I’m now following Under the Cover of Prayer via Facebook. — Nancy

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