In the past, I have often selected a Word of the Year to be my focus or goal for the upcoming year. In many ways, a focus word helps me to be more productive and purposeful in how I spend my time. It’s important to know that there is not one verse in Scripture that suggests we need a word of the year. It is not Biblical to select one; I see nothing wrong with the practice as long as God is the ultimate reason. 

 In 2025 I decided that I didn’t do such a great job in 2024 with my focus, and I would not select a new one. I was even less intentional in 2025 than I was in 2024. I am now fully retired and I find it way too easy to accomplish little on any given day. Over the last few weeks the Lord has been prompting me to do some more work for Him. Obviously my word from 2024, discipline, didn’t take root. However, that’s a discussion for another time. This coming year will require some improvements it I am to do what God is asking. 

I began to brainstorm a few possibilities. My list included:

intentional

inspire

purposeful

devotion

diligent

create

learn

How I came about selecting my word for 2026. 

I recently posted that God is stirring me to do some new things that seem a little overwhelming at times. I know as I work through what the Lord has put on my heart, my personal discipline will need to change and grow. 

As I began to work on what God is leading me to do, I have needed to move my website and blog to a different online host for additional flexibility. I continue learning more each day and will have to learn so much more in order to do the things God wants. I will have to be diligent, intentional, and purposeful about the things I need to learn. 

Knowing what I need to do, I narrowed the above list down to “create” and “inspire”. God is calling me to create digital Bible study related items and miscellaneous faith related printables for 2026. I know that I need to fully rely on God if this is going to work. I will need God’s inspiration to create any of these items. I began to pray about these two words. 

I began looking on the internet about choosing a word. I came across a website that allowed me to write a description about my direction. This website gave me two more words: illuminate and cultivate. When the website comes up with the words, it also gives a definition and a description. When I read the descriptions, I was able to eliminate the words create and inspire. Check out the website: https://thegoalchaser.com/word-for-the-year-generator/ 

Word of the Year: “Cultivate”

Definition: To cultivate means to prepare and nurture the ground for growth, whether it be in a garden or in one’s personal and spiritual life. It embodies the act of fostering development, encouraging deeper understanding, and creating an environment where faith can flourish. In the context of your aspirations, “cultivate” reflects the intention to enrich Bible study experiences and prayer practices, nurturing both individual and communal spiritual growth through thoughtfully designed materials and resources.

Word of the Year: “Illuminate”

Definition: To illuminate means to light up, clarify, or make something easier to understand. In the context of your mission, it embodies the act of shedding light on biblical teachings and encouraging others to explore and deepen their faith through accessible and engaging study materials. It represents the journey of guiding individuals toward spiritual enlightenment, fostering a community of learning and encouragement in their relationship with God.

By focusing on “Illuminate,” you inspire others to seek knowledge, grow in their faith, and share that light with others through your printables and resources.

Final selection

I prayed about the direction the Lord wants me to go with my life, my new project and my focus for 2026. I continued to research and landed on cultivate. Looking up the words in a dictionary solidified the choice for me. Dictionary.com has this:

Cultivate:

• to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.
• to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention.
• to develop or improve by education 
• to promote the growth or development of (an art, science, etc.); foster.
• to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).
• to seek to promote or foster (friendship, love, etc.).

While I fully understand that selecting a Word of the Year is not a Biblical principle, it is not forbidden either. For me it is really setting a goal centered around what God has already laid on my heart. 

While either of the two words would have allowed me to focus on what God is asking me to do, cultivate really hit a nerve.  God has to grow and change things in me before I can pour into others. So much word has to occur before I can release and project, cultivate seems to be what God wants to do in my life.

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