My ONE word for 2011

I listen to a Christian radio station KLOVE on the way to work (after dropping kids off since they love the watch this in the van) and at the beginning of January the morning show hosts started talking about choosing ONE word for 2011.  They got the idea from Lysa Terkeurst who for the past few years has asked God for one word to shape/define her year.  Kind of a different take on New Year's resilutions.

I have been pondering doing this myself, but I didn't know what word to choose.  I kept thinking it had to do with something relating to my biggest struggle in life which is fear.  So I kept thinking of all kids of words that are the opposite of fear - peace, hope, strength, etc.  Nothing seemed to fit. 

Then a few days ago, I was listening to KLOVE again and Lisa (morning co-host) was talking about how she was struggling to choose her word for the year.  She continued on to say basically what I had been feeling - trying to 'force' a word so to speak.  She then realized she hadn't asked God specifically what her word should be.  So, one night, laying in bed she did just that and she heard a word impressed on her heart that was completely different than any of the words she had been thinking of - she knew God had now given her a word for 2011.

You may know where this is going - I took this to heart and asked God while driving to work what my word should be.  I love God - for multiple reasons, but His care for me amazes me.  I heard (and when I say heard, for me it was like an impression/thought that popped into my head-not an audible voice) the word DELIGHT. 

Hmmm, now if you will glance up at the title of my blog you will see that word in the title.  I have a bracelet that my mom gave me for my 30th birthday that has the verse from Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." 

I think know that God has been preparing me for this word and this year.  I would have never thought of this word (as obvious as it seems) for my life this year.  I would love to lead a more delightful life, to be more satisfied, joyful, etc.  But I focus so often on the problems and struggles in my life that I forget to look at what God has for me and what He sees in me.

Read the definition of the word DELIGHT: 
-noun
1. a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture:
2. something that gives great pleasure:
-verb (used with object)
3. to give great pleasure, satisfaction, or enjoyment to; please highly:
–verb (used without object)
4. to have great pleasure; take pleasure (fol. by in or an infinitive):

I forget that He wants me to delight or take pleasure in Him, He wants for me to delight or give great pleasure, satisfaction, please highly Him.  He desires to delight or give me a high dgree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy in Him and in life.  He promises to give me the desires of my heart when I delight myself in Him-see Psalms 37:4 again. 

To me that means that He won't leave me when I am in trouble or afraid, He won't despise me when I make a mistake.  He will always forgive me when I ask, He will provide for me, protect me, love me.  He will have a plan for me - even bigger and better than I could dream (see Jeremiah 29:11-13).

I don't have any illusions that now life in 2011 will be perfect and without fear - in fact, I may go through more or different struggles this year.  But I want to have a relationship with God that is one of delight and love, not one of fear and measuring up.  I want to know that in the midst of the great times God is my rock and my peace and joy and I want to know in the bad times that God is my rock and my peace and joy.

What journey is God leading you on in 2011?