Selecting a “Theme Word” for a new year, rather than making resolutions, may be a fad, but who said we can’t find value in fads? I found the experience of using a theme word rewarding in 2019 and have decided to try it again in 2020. Of great importance in this process, for me anyway, is to discern the word with the help of God AND to have a scriptural basis supporting the word. Perhaps that’s part of why using a theme word was so rewarding last year – the process centered around God and His Word, rather than setting resolutions that centered around my ego or cultural norms…
Drum Roll please! Here is my 2020 theme word: OVERCOME
Overcome (verb): succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty; to prevail; to get the better of; to cause to lose physical ability or emotional control. Synonyms include CONQUER, DEFEAT, TRIUMPH OVER, WIN AGAINST, VANQUISH, and GAIN MASTERY OF.
The scriptural basis for this word is from the Gospel of John.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
I am drawn to this word from two different perspectives: First, from my desire to become more and more OVERCOME by the power of the Holy Spirit; and second, from my desire to use that same power to OVERCOME. I want to be both OVERCOMED and an OVERCOMER!
God placed this word on my heart in December as I was doing a Bible Study on the concept of “Coping or Conquering?”
During this study, I came to realize that God doesn’t want me to be a “coper” – that’s me trying to manage life without Him; but rather, He wants me to be a conqueror – that’s me living through His power.
But to become a conqueror, I must be overcome by the Holy Spirit! I must first surrender to His Power, let His power and grace and love overwhelm me – take control of me – and then I too have the potential to be an Overcomer. I can conquer fear, trauma, sin, addiction, hardships, and disappointments only to the extent I am overcome by the Spirit.
Through His Power, I can succeed in dealing with a problem or a difficulty.
By yielding, I win.
Through surrender, I prevail.
By accepting my powerlessness and His Power, I triumph over the desires of the world.
By being overcome with the Spirit, I become powered by the Spirit to overcome.
With Christ as my Lord, I stop “coping with life” and start conquering it!
Part of the theme word process in addition to identifying a scriptural basis is finding inspiration through music. Many contemporary Christian songs reference the word “Overcome” or the meaning of the word within its lyrics. The song I’m most drawn to for the kick-off my word is called “Holy Spirit” by Francesca Battistelli.
Holy Spirit you are welcome here, come flood this place and fill the atmosphere.
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for, to be OVERCOME by your presence Lord.
Let us become more aware of your presence, let us experience the glory of your goodness.
Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone….
In order to embrace this theme word in 2020, I will explore….
- Places in my life where I am “coping” instead of conquering. These are the areas in my life where I haven’t let God in, haven’t given the control to God, and am trying to manage it on my own.
- The difference between doing “the best I can” versus “overcoming”, “getting through” verses “prevailing”, and “finishing the race” versus “winning the race”.
- Choosing among attitudes of “I’ve got this”, “God’s got this” and “I’ve got God”.
- What/Where/How Jesus overcomes.
In just a few short weeks into selecting my theme word, God has already revealed so much! I have come to believe, that I am not an overcomer through my own strength, my own knowledge, my own weapons/tools, my own strategy or planning. I overcome through Christ. Through Christ living in me. Through embracing His love for me, His death for me, His resurrection for me. He alone gives me victory… victory over sin and death. I will take heart! He has overcome the world and He lives in me… I too will overcome the world by His power!
Which will I choose today: Cope or Conquer?
Jesus is The Way. Through His power, I am an overcomer, a conqueror, a warrior, a victor. This isn’t about success as the world defines it. It’s about VICTORIOUS LIVING. Living free from slavery to sin, free from shame, guilt, fear, and anger. Victorious living is achieved through constant reliance on Christ. Holding His hand, or letting Him carry me if needed, through the valley, through the darkness, up the mountaintop, to the still waters.
When I let go of Him, I wander in the desert. I cope. I falter. I struggle. I grow weary of daily life.
Do I want to be a wanderer or a victor?
Just a few days into the new year, I read this in “Jesus Calling” devotional book by Sarah Young (January 5):
You can achieve the victorious life through living in deep dependence on Me. People usually associate victory with success: not falling or stumbling, not making mistakes. But those who are successful in their own strength ten to go their own way, forgetting about Me. It is through problems and failure, weakness and neediness, that you learn to rely on Me. True dependence is not simply asking Me to bless what you have decided to do. It is coming to Me with an open mind and heart, inviting Me to plan My desires within you… Enjoy the blessedness of a victorious life through deepening your dependence on Me.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
When I let Jesus consume my heart, the Holy Spirit overcome my will, I live in God and His Love – and His Love lives in me. I am changed! I have a new heart: bold, confident, fearless.
I am a conqueror, a victor, a warrior…
An overcomer.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37