Your “Why” Matters
When we understand what the motivating factor is that drives someone to act or respond in a certain way, we receive perspective on a decision.
What’s your word?
With a new year comes anticipation of what the future holds along with possible changes to pursue different goals and dreams. The week leading up to January 1 is always an exciting time for me. Throughout those days, I like to spend time reflecting on the previous year and think about what I’ve learned and what lessons I want to take into January and the months ahead.
One way I do that is by picking a word to focus on. An area I want to be intentional about cultivating growth in.
If you’ve never considered a word for your year, I highly encourage it! It’s a great way to see how God is at work and moving you towards maturity. It doesn’t mean your entire year will consist of moments that revolve around that word, but it does provide perspective on something you want to keep tucked away to consider at various junctures.
After much consideration, praying, spending time in Scripture, conversations with friends, and seeing areas I’d fallen short, I knew I wanted to be intentional in a specific area. I needed to grow in this spot and focus on what this concept looks like in my life.
So the word for this year is. . .
Steadfast.
Steadfast means to “make firm, direct toward a moral sense, to be stable, to be secure.”
Someone who is steadfast is grounded. They know what they believe and why. They aren’t swayed by people’s opinions and know where their convictions lie.
Please do not hear me saying it means someone shouldn’t learn or consider other viewpoints. By all means, dialogue and learning are important. It gives us perspective and shines light on a topic we might not have considered previously.
So by all means, learn; it’s necessary and good. But once learning has taken place, a solid foundation needs to be built. One that is firm, stable, and secure. Know what you believe and why—then stay grounded in it.
By God’s grace, that is my goal.
And if I’m being completely honest, the temptation to succumb to others’ opinions will be there: When someone doesn’t think I articulated an idea correctly, when a poor review comes in, or when a suggestion to change a storyline simply because it will get more views or reach a larger audience.
I want to know where my convictions already lie so when those situations arise, I already have a place to stand. Because if I can’t stand firm, I will crumble.
A Storyline Parallel
This year’s word made me realize the connection to a story and the importance of what needs to come first.
You need to have a firm foundation for any story to be a good one. You need to ask the question, “why?” Everything in the story has to have purpose. If it lacks clarity or direction, it’s going to fall flat and seem unbelievable. Your readers will have a difficult time suspending disbelief.
Characters need to have reasons to choose an action or thought. Why did they run away from the scene of the crime and lie about what they witnessed? Why is she snippy and closed off towards the hero? Why did he risk his life to save the animal? Why did the family move to the new town?
So Now What?
I encourage you to take time and consider what your goals are for this year. What ways were their improvements in the last year and where do you want to grow? Consider what word you want to focus on and watch how you become more aware of that idea in various situations.
I want to leave you with a few verses that have encouraged me as I decided to focus on steadfastness this year.
Psalm 119:5 “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!”
Isaiah 7:9 “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’”
Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
For His glory,
