MY SENIOR YEAR WORDS | my vision and intentions for this school year

Towards the beginning of July, I began forcing myself to process that my senior year was coming up - soon. Some days are harder than others to accept that fact, but on the better days, I'm reminded of how important it is that I am intentional with every moment of this year. 2024 as a whole has been really difficult for me, but throughout this season I've learned so much about myself and received wisdom from the Lord, and I just want to carry that into my final year of high school. I want to set myself up for success, to enjoy all of the memories that I'm going to make, while also protecting my heart, my peace, and my faith.

I began praying about what God wanted this year to look like. I tried to make space for His discernment, seeking His heart in what I should prioritize and make space for. The Lord so kindly put four words on my heart to guide my senior year, and these have given me so much inspiration and vision for the year ahead.

Abide

Biblically, abide has multiple meanings or synonyms, including to cling, dwell, settle in, and remain. As I've been praying over vision for this year and over my faith, I've had two images in my mind consistently encourage me; one of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, and the other of Psalms 23. I want to be resting in the Father's presence, in tune with His voice and aware of His leading. I want to have a spirit of peace and a calm mind. I want to be intimate with the Father, connected to Him steadfastly.

Authority

I've been learning that my prayers have power and authority because the Spirit of the Almighty God dwells within me. Because the Lord is greater, I get to claim and receive the victory that He bought with blood. I am a daughter of the King, and He has an inheritance for me like no other. That includes the power in my words and prayer, and so I have to choose to speak with purpose and authority. I choose to walk in the Spirit of the Lord, and I resist the enemy's attacks.

Celebrate

The Lord has been so good to me, and He has blessed me beyond measure. I'm tired of waiting hopelessly and losing sight of His kindness. I want to walk in joy, each and every day, learning to adapt an attitude of gratitude. I want to fix my eyes on the good things that the Lord has so graciously lavished on me, and have an eternal perspective instead of being overwhelmed by the temporary struggle. God calls us to cherish and enjoy every day, because each day is a blessing, and I want to follow that.

Grounded

I've been going back to John 3:16 a lot lately, because I want to remind myself of the faith that I have started in. I want to have a firm foundation on Jesus, secure in the truth in Scripture. I want to be strong in who I believe God is and in my identity in Jesus, feet firmly planted and aligned with the mind of Christ. The Lord has equipped me, and I want to use those tools to resist the attacks from the enemy and utilize my armor wisely. Even when my circumstances threaten to shake me, I want to be unwavering and steadfast in the truth.

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Abide, authority, celebrate and grounded. Those are the four words that I want to set the tone for this school year, that will refocus me on God and give me intentionality throughout all of the busyness. They have inspired specific prayers for the year and filled me up with hope about what God has in store. I'm excited about this season and about the opportunity to lean into the Father even more, because my need for Him is so great, but He is faithful to show up and provide in every area that I lack. It's my prayer that this post would inspire you to take some time to reflect over the coming school year, to create space for the Lord's wisdom and vision over your life, and to lean into your faith even more. This won't look the same for all of us, and maybe none of my words resonated with you, but pursue the Lord for yourself and see what He might put on your heart.