Have you ever played “Simon Says?”  Most of us have as kids – the leader gives instructions – “Simon says -lift your left leg, Simon says – lift your right leg, Simon says – raise your right arm.” You anticipate the next move – then leader says, “Lift your left arm.”  You are following the pattern and lift your left arm and you get caught  – so you are out of the game. Simon didn’t say! You didn’t follow the directions. 

Some follow a Cult. These people lose control of their own lives and follow and adhere to the guidelines, rules, and requirements of the leader.

Political candidates have many followers. You agree with their views, campaign, promote, work diligently to get them elected – sometimes they win but if they don’t – who do you follow now?

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At the end of December, I ask God to reveal a word to me that will inspire me and change me. Then I find a verse to go along with it to encourage me to focus on what He wants to do in me.

Psalm 23 seemed to be everywhere – our ladies’ group had an Advent study on Psalm 23. My Sunday school class began a study on Psalm 23. It seemed like every devotional I read contained a reference to Psalm 23. Sermons and First 5 Study on Promises of God made references to Psalm 23. Even the minister at Martin Luther King, Jr. Service in Atlanta in January used Psalm 23 in her sermon.

Psalm 23 helps us to see the correlation between us and sheep. The concept that stood out most to me was how the sheep know the shepherd’s voice. They only follow the shepherd.

My word for 2024 is follow.

John 10:27  – My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 

My shepherd knows the way, he sees the beginning to the end, he is in control – when I cease trying to control – he leads, and it is so easy to follow! 

My husband was so good at that. He was so sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life. When he sensed God wanting him to do something, he dropped everything and followed!

For years, I would have a thought and then rationalize why I should not do that. Something so simple as thinking about a person and calling them, but I would think they might be at work, or they were sick and might be asleep. Later I would find they needed that call, but I failed to obey. I would share with my husband, and he would say, “That was the Lord leading you.”

The Lord has given me more opportunities to hear his promptings lately. And I obeyed. Amazing how easy it is to follow when you know His voice.

Below are some tips for selecting a word for the year from a Susie Larson podcast last year. Here is a link to current podcast how to select a word for the year:

https://player.fm/series/susie-larson-live/your-one-word-for-the-year-with-jimmy-page

1. Look in   – what is a virtue you need? Resilience, perseverance.
2. Look up – allow God to do more of a work in you – abide, trust, revival.
3. Look out  – how can I reflect God’s glory to others, encourage, nourish.

Having a word for the year has given me vision, direction, inspiration, and many times confirmation. I challenge you to select a word and a verse to focus on this year. You will be amazed how God works in your life.

– John 10:27  – My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.