Gah! I don’t even know where to start with this one, honestly. It’s so multifaceted and somewhat pigeon-holed into what I feel like it means that I hope I can make sense. When I got my word for the year, I was honestly a bit baffled. It seemed at first to be the antithesis of what I felt like I needed to be doing. Which was more or less to take a step back, spend more time in the Lord’s presence, and rest. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this word really isn’t the opposite of that.

Warrior

At first thought, we think of many things. Strong, brave, fighting.
But when I started searching, the Bible has many parallels and images of warriors in God’s kingdom. It was apparently a very important image that He wanted to get across to His chosen ones. The biblical definition in and of itself is that of a soldier, a man engaged in military life. The more I thought about it. The more it made sense. We are in a time and place in this world where were are called to be warriors. To be constantly engaged in military life. Engaging the enemy when necessary and fighting for what we believe in. No matter the cost.
I’ve been watching Robin Hood of late and as silly as it seems to compare a TV show to my spiritual thoughts, it did bring something to mind. In the show, the odds are above and beyond against Robin Hood. He’s a small man with a small band of brothers against every conceivable obstacle. And as they continue to come out on top, some would call it unbelievable as so much is against them that it hardly seems believable that they would defeat so many enemies. But then it hit me. They are fighting for something they believe in and it’s not just for the sake of the battle that they fight. This is their life and they are willing to live, fight and die for this belief in what is right.
I don’t know what this next year holds, and I’m not saying it’s going to be some huge battle (though it might be). But so many obstacles are in my way.
It might be as simple as distractions that take me out of my time and place with the Lord. Little things that catch my interest and take me away from what my focus should be. Things that keep me from maintaining a balance in my life. I tend to run ahead and add so many things into my life that I never have time for anything else and drop off, exhausted and discouraged. I don’t want to be in that place anymore.
Someone recently was delivering a message and what he said resonated with me so much. I don’t remember the full quote by any means, but something to the effect of “the hard work of rest”. Rest takes hard work. Actually silencing the voices that surround us, tuning out all the distractions and things vying for our attention. It’s a battle. And what feels like an uphill one at that. But warriors were made for the battle. And that’s what I intend to be this year. I wrote this in my journal.
“Resting is a fight, making the time to be with the Lord feels like a war with my own thoughts, desires and agendas. So many things are vying for my attention. Shutting out the cacophony takes the effort of a warrior. Resting is some of the hardest work and requires so much effort.”
When I also realized how much this word built off of my word, ‘fearless’, from last year, it seemed all the more appropriate. I’m a warrior princess. We all should be. Princess or Prince. Building on the back of Fearless, that is what a warrior is. Fearless, bold. Prayer warrior. Spiritual warrior. What battles does He want me to fight? What will this coming year hold? I don’t see warrior so much as an outward thing right now. My heart and soul is my battle field. I stand firm on my principles and my convictions. I need to learn how to wield the sword and protect with the shield. I need to learn to war better for my own mind.
Some verses that I have been meditating on. . .
“But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior.” Jer. 20:11
“The Lord is with you mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12

“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!” 1 Sam. 12:16
“The Lord replied: “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”” Ex. 33:14
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast on you.” Isaiah 26:3
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
Again, I don’t one hundred percent know what this all looks like in life, but I don’t think I ever do at the beginning of the year. It is just my job to trust and listen to what the Lord wants to teach me.
Do you pick out a word for the year? If so, what is it?
By God’s Grace,
Victoria