You might be familiar with the practice of identifying One Word as a theme for the upcoming year. I know a number of our Vital Men have implemented this concept over the years. If you’re new to this idea … and also if you’ve done this in the past … I am encouraging you to engage this application stepping into January. Take this next week as we roll into January to connect with God and get His sense of what can be your theme for this next year.
Ask yourself these questions: What has God been saying to me this past year? What area of my life does God want to take hold of and use for His glory? How does God want to position me for this next year?
Some of our Vital Men recently participated in a Bible App devotional focused on the One Word concept. Here are the 2026 words for our men: love, surrender, rise, pray, obey, trust, engage, serve.
Here are THREE steps to initiate the One Word process:
First, prepare your heart (LOOK IN) by unplugging from busyness and noise. Find solitude and quiet to dialogue with God. As we let God examine our heart, He will give us clarity.
Second, discover your word (LOOK UP) by spending time with God and listening to Him. Ask Him this question: What do You want to do in me and through me this next year? This question will help you discover the word meant for you. Don’t pick a good word; receive a God-word.
Third, live your word (LOOK OUT) by integrating it into ALL aspects of your life: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational and even financial. Keep your one word front and center. Tell your accountability partners and your family your word for the year.
My prayer for you is that God meets you in your vulnerability of identifying the One Word He has for your next year. I pray that your One Word remains close to your heart and God uses it in transformational ways in 2026!
