Your Verse for the Year
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family[c] in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19
I love setting goals for a new year, but while building a better exercise habit or spending less money are great ideas, one thing I’ve tried to do more the last few years is really focus on how to grow my spiritual life throughout the year.
One of the best ways I’ve found to do this is to spend time reflecting and praying through a few simple questions and choosing a verse to memorize that focuses on what I want God to grow in me this coming year. The questions I reflect on are as follows:
- Where did I experience God’s love and nearness this past year? This is a time to praise God for His provision, faithfulness, and kindness in your life.
- Where do I wish I had experienced God’s love and nearness this year? As you reflect, are there situations you experienced where fear/anxiety/anger/sin won over God’s love, peace, and presence? This is a great time to confess these situations to God and receive His mercy and love. Take a deep breath and thank Him that we never have to be perfect to experience His presence.
- Looking to the new year, what aspects of God’s character do I want to experience? How do I want to grow as a follower of Christ this year? This is why step 2 is so important. If several seasons of intense anxiety came to mind, what would it look like to lean into God’s peace this year? If you had a particular sin struggle you faced this year, how could you choose to walk in the forgiveness and freedom God is already offering you?
- What scripture can I memorize this year that will remind me of this aspect of God’s character? Scripture is one of the best tools we have to reorient and anchor our hearts and minds to the truth of the Gospel. If you need to Google verses on the characteristics and areas of growth you chose in question 3, that’s great!
Last year as I prayed for a more contented heart, my verse for the year was Proverbs 30:7-9. This year, I want to grow in my understanding of how much God loves me, so I’m memorizing Ephesians 3:14-19. I’m praying it over you too, that as you enter this new year, you would be rooted and grounded in God’s love and you would be filled with all the fullness of God.