It’s that time of year again when we are asking ourselves what we’d like to do or accomplish, or focus on this year.

I am one who likes setting goals each year. These goals help me to live with direction and intention each year. But more important than having goals, I want to live out my life according to God’s Will for me.

Thus, I’ve decided to ask God year after year, that One Word that He’d like me to focus on and live out for that specific year. My One Word is usually taken from or a part of a Bible verse that I think and feel is what God wants me to be reminded of more or to live out more for that year.

I wrote about my One Word and One Verse in the previous years here, here, and here.

This year, 2023, my One Word is PURPOSE.

2022 ended without me knowing what my One Word would be this year. But because this happened to me already in the past, I did not feel worried or anxious about it. I just knew in my heart that God will reveal His direction to me this year, eventually. Last year, it was only on the first Friday of the new year that I discovered and felt affirmed about what my One Word and One Verse will be for 2022.

This year, I also got confirmation from God what my One Verse and One Word will be for 2023 on the first Friday of the year.

Before 2022 ended, I had a few ideas for my One Word. I was considering STEWARD or STEWARDSHIP. I kept praying and asking for direction, inspiration, and confirmation. God slowly spoke to me about my One Word through the daily Masses I attended. It seemed that there was a common theme. But I could not figure out right away which word I will use. I knew that it was still connected to being a good steward and doing my personal mission on earth. But as I hear more daily Masses, one word kept coming back to my mind.

One night, I felt the urge to search for the Bible verses with that word. Then, when I read the many Bible verses that appeared in my search, one verse tugged at my heart like no other. I felt like my heart leaped upon reading that verse and I readily recognized what my One Word will be for this year.

My One Word for 2023 is PURPOSE. The Bible verse that resonated with me the most in relation to purpose was Romans 8:28. This is actually one of my favorite verses in the Bible.

I felt happy and grateful that God spoke powerfully again to me by leading me to my word of focus and my guiding Bible verse for this year! Knowing these help me to be anchored on God throughout the year.

Last week, I was delighted to find out that our community, The Feast, will have a special talk on PURPOSE. I felt like God was really telling me and confirming once more with me that this is really my One Word for this year. I made sure that I got to listen and watch the talk. I’m so glad I did! I was so inspired and moved by the preachers (Bro. Bo Sanchez and Bro. Alvin Barcelona)! You can watch the full episode here.

I felt energized to step out confidently in living out my PURPOSE, which is also God’s PURPOSE for me! I made a commitment once more to God to live out my life purpose, which is to love God and to make Him loved through my writings, talks, and everything that I do. In that way, I am also able to live out my goal of being a good steward of whatever God has entrusted to me.

How about you? Do you also choose a specific word that will guide you each year? Do you also choose a Bible verse along with it? Feel free to share with me in the comments. I’d love to hear from you also.