Joy.
Hope.
Balance.
Adventure.
I’m sure you’ve seen them floating around. Perhaps you already have one yourself for 2020: a Word of Intention for the New Year. Words of Intention are simply words that we long to see come to fruition in the months ahead. Words that will set the tone for the New Year in a way that bucks resolutions and invites us to refocus our goals.
I applaud the ambition.
I think it’s great to go into the New Year with conviction and vision about what you want to see happen. I’m all for themes of love and peace and honest aspiration to accomplish goals in the next 365 days. Choosing a Word of Intention for the year ahead feels empowering. There’s something about it that makes you feel like you have some measure of control over what awaits you between the next January and December.
If you don’t have much of a vision for the New Year, it’s amazing how one little word can give you a sense of ownership and direction. Or, if you feel fearful about what awaits you in the New Year, a Word of Intention can tame the intimidation and restore a sense of authority. For anyone coming off of a hard year, focusing on words like Heal or Restore can feel like a big step forward. Ensuring the New Year feels nothing like the Old Year is a welcome change after a season of difficulty.
The problem is, our Words of Intention don’t always line up with God’s actual intentions for our life.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21
Our Intentions vs. God’s Intentions
We long to set the tone for the days ahead, and we think that conjuring up a word or having a vision for what lies ahead will help us control the future, but the truth is, God alone knows what is ahead for us and it’s up to Him to show us the way.
God foresees every day, every event, every tear and burst of laughter that will come your way in the New Year. He knows if this year will actually be a year of Joy, Healing or Bravery. God knows what lies ahead for you in 2020, so doesn’t it makes sense to seek Him for a word or phrase that might represent the year ahead for you?
I’m not against goal-setting or having hopes and dreams for the New Year. I’m all for it. I just think that it makes the most sense to anchor our goals and dreams in something God has already been talking to us about. Instead of affixing our hopes to something we want to see in the New Year, let’s spend time asking God about what He already sees in our New Year.
Seeking God for your New Year
God is not a trickster. He does not sit up in Heaven hoping we figure life out as it goes. He does not want to keep 2020 shrouded in mystery. He will readily share His intentions with us as we seek Him with hopeful hearts. He delights in directing our steps and giving us insight into what the future holds (Isaiah 30:21) so that we might align more fully with Christ.
I will often begin praying about the New Year long before the ball drops. Usually, in late fall I will begin to ask God, “What do you see ahead for me in the next year? What is your vision for my life in 2020? Is there a word, phrase, verse or picture that you could give me which shows your heart for my New Year? Please help me to see your vision and align with it.”
Some years, God will instantly answer my prayer as the Holy Spirit whispers a single word to me. Other years, weeks go by before I start to sense something. One year, I didn’t sense His direction until I was well into March. The ways God chooses to impart His vision to us are infinitely creative. He can share His insight and intentions through single words, phrases, verses, themes in the Bible, enlightening conversations, pictures and art.
Here are a few ways you can partner with God and seek His guidance as you enter into 2020. These are practices I do each year and found them to be helpful, centering and honoring to God.
- Consecrate (dedicate) the year ahead to Jesus.
- Consecrate your calendar and your schedule to Him.
- Bring any plans you’re thinking through (vacations, big decision, life transitions etc.) under His authority.
- Ask God to give you a glimpse of His heart for your New Year.
- Silence. Spend time in silence, listening for His answer.
- Read. Spend time in Scripture, seeking His Word for clarity.
- Keep asking. Often, the Lord’s desire is that we keep pressing into Him instead of getting quick answers.
- Write it down. If God shows you a word or picture that might represent 2020, write it down, ponder it, talk with Him about it.
- Return to the word/verse/phrase/picture often. As you face decisions or challenges throughout the year, look to see how they might fit with what God has shown you – this can be an invaluable addition to your discernment process. As the year progresses, evaluate how your life may or may not be reflecting the intention God showed you at the beginning of the year.
A Word to Those Who are Suffering
If surrendering your Word of Intention or your plans for the New Year to God feels intimidating, I understand. It can feel scary to let go of your own desires in favor of something God wants for you, especially if your relationship with God feels fragile. If you’re in a season of suffering, I know that seeking God about the future can feel unsettling because… what if His plans for 2020 include more suffering? I have been there.
Please know this: God is kind, His intentions for you are always good. Anything He shares with you is for your benefit and so that you might know Him more intimately, even if that means your suffering continues. God will not heap something on you that you cannot bear with Christ. His desire is never to overwhelm you. He will not speak words like Unbearable or Agony over you, His banner over you is love (Song of Solomon 2:4). Although your suffering may continue into 2020, He will faithfully guide you through it with a steady hand.
