Your Vital Verb for 2018

Why do you do what you do? What’s your verb? Or, what are your verbs?

Are you familiar with the idea that’s become quite popular—choosing a word for the year? I’ve seen many women post their word on Facebook. I’ve not asked God for a word. If you have, that’s great.

I have a word, though. I’ve always had it. It’s a verb because I want to be a woman of action. If you’ve been following me for a while, my word won’t surprise you. It’s influence. That’s what I’ve always been about. I want to have an effect on people. And I want people to influence me— in the right ways, of course.

Why do you do what you do? What’s your verb? Maybe this list will help you. Or, maybe you’ll think of a verb that’s not here. I’d love to know—what’s your verb? Why are you in relationship with people? What are your goals?

Direct

Control

Excite

Persuade

Affect

Impress

Lead

Alter

Guide

Compel

Train

Motivate

Impact

Comfort

Empower

Improve

Develop

Enforce

Change

Pursue

Serve

Revise

Transform

Love

Inspire

Energize

Of course, just choosing a word doesn’t guarantee much. How will you put that desire to change, impact, train, develop—into action? May I make three recommendations?

• Pray, asking God for opportunities, discernment and insights.
• Have high expectations. Expect God to introduce you to people and use you in situations.
• Work at it. Finish strong.

Have you seen the amazing news that Kirk Cameron chose me as an expert to talk with in his upcoming movie, Connect? I’m truly humbled and excited.

An Unexpected Possibility

As I’ve told many people, I never dreamt this was a possibility, so I never prayed, “God, allow me to be in a movie.” But I do pray for influence. All of us at Celebrate Kids do. In this instance, God answered yes.

But here’s the thing. Other than influencing Kirk Cameron and the camera operators and others involved in the movie, I haven’t influenced anyone yet. My work isn’t finished. Being in a movie and getting people to the theater to see the movie are two different things. I can’t rest and declare, “Have you heard I’m in a movie?” I could care less.

What I care about is people being empowered because they saw the movie. I want parents to find hope. I want teens and young adults to see the truth. I want people influenced for good and God’s glory. Therefore, I’ll post about the movie and do radio and print interviews about the movie. I’ll make myself available to Kirk and the movie’s director and producer. I’ll be busy. Why? Because I’m a woman of action, and I want to influence others.

I hope you’ll be influenced by the movie. Go to ConnectMovie.com and enter your zip code to see where it’s playing on Feb. 27 and March 1. You can watch a trailer here. {eoa}

 Dr. Kathy Koch is the author of Screens & Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in A Wireless World.

This article originally appeared at drkathykoch.com.