Happy New Year, friend! Here we are again. Beautiful, blank planners ready to be filled with dreams and dates and deadlines. Possibilities hang heavy in the chilly air as we exhale from our season of festivities and think all things fresh and clean and new. After rather enjoying my last year’s word (STORY), I’ve spent some time pondering what my “one word” for 2024 might be, and it’s not dramatic or daring or dazzling. It’s “WISDOM”…
“Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty, acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours.” J.I. Packer
Why WISDOM in 2024?
Good question. Honestly, I ask God for wisdom pretty regularly as I figure He has a way better handle on all things than I do, but something shifted for me in 2023. It may have been turning 55 and realizing I am now eligible for certain very unexciting “senior” discounts(!), or it may have been losing a beloved member of our family and acknowledging the fragility of life, or it may be that I’m not only a mom but I’m a grandmother… and surely, I should be imparting copious words of wisdom to anyone and everyone who will listen?
Okay, maybe that sounds a little unhinged. (Please don’t avoid me this year!) But truly, I want to have a teachable heart and pay attention to all things wisdom in 2024, to glean a greater understanding of what godly wisdom actually is, and how I can put it into action…
- To use my TIME wisely
- To have wisdom to say my best YESES and brave NO’S
- To make the wisest DECISIONS and take ACTION
- To literally WRITE words of wisdom, even in my novels
- To GROW to be more like Jesus, because He is the perfect embodiment of wisdom
I’m no smarty-pants, and when it comes to “worldly wisdom”, I come up lacking in degrees and masters and academic accolades. But here’s the good news—when it comes to godly wisdom, we get to go right the the Source:
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
Literally, we can ask the King of Kings who reigns supreme for wisdom with our day-to-day lives. The major and the minutiae. In fact, the Scriptures are peppered with verses about wisdom and how incredibly important it is to seek God’s guidance in all things.
Even my favourite “life verses” in Proverbs 3:5-6 talk about not leaning on our own understanding and are followed up with these ever-so-pointed words:
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.”
Did you catch that? DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES—even when we’re pretty sure we have everything covered and don’t actually need help. Rather, we are to fear the Lord, revering Him with a posture of drawing close. BONUS: Health and nourishment—this is for our own good and His glory, friend!
All this to say, I’m looking forward to the coming year. To more reading of both fiction and non-fiction, to learning and stretching myself, to putting knowledge into action, to getting to know God more through His Word, and to loving Him and loving others well. To seeking His wisdom daily.
“Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding! Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious. She’ll garland your life with grace, she’ll festoon your days with beauty.” Proverbs 4:3-9 MSG
Do you have “one word” for 2024? We’d love to know… please feel free to share it in the comments below! ⬇️
Have a beautiful 2024,
P.S. If you haven’t read my latest book yet, check it out HERE!
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! You can visit them here:
Beautiful thoughts for the word of the year! I love your breakdown and aspects of wisdom! I have been doing a word of the year for the past several and came up with the word discipline for 2024. Discipline to be consistent being in the Word, discipline to make daily movement a priority, discipline to think and make smart financial choices.
Also looking forward to your next book this summer!
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Nicole— and thanks for sharing your awesome DISCIPLINE word for 2024! Glad you’re looking forward to my next book, too… I’m super excited about this one. 🙂 Happy New year!
Love your word, Laura! Hunger and promise interlaced. Blessings over you this year!
My word is reflect (as in reflect God and direct the praise back to Him rather than deflect the attention or dismiss a compliment).
Thanks so much, Twyla! What a wonderful word you have for this year…thanks for sharing, friend! Blessings to you. 🙂
Wisdom is a great WOTY, Laura! My word this year is cultivate. ~Visiting from Tell His Story #15
Thanks so much for stopping by, friend… I love all that the word CULTIVATE holds for you this coming year! 🙂
That’s a great choice of words. I think mine for this year is “LIGHT,” as in seeing the light in the dark, but also in letting things go to keep from carrying around heaving things. I’m interested to see how this word shows up in my life this year.
Thanks ever so much, Glynis! I love your word LIGHT… I chose this one several years ago, and was amazed and delighted how it showed up throughout the year! Every blessing to you as you live in the light of His love! 🙂
You chose a good word, and something we all surely need. I, too, “come up lacking in degrees and masters and academic accolades.” It is something I have come to realize is not necessarily a bad thing as it has kept me reliant on the Lord to provide wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. My word this year is “Fully” – I have come to realize in the last month or so that to live life fully, and to the fullest, I must know Him fully. My life will be full and abundant to the degree that He alone fills it. May the Lord bless you this coming year as you journey with “Wisdom.”
Thank you so much, Joanne! And what a wonderful word you have for 2024… blessings to you, friend, as you live in the fullness of His love! 🙂
Laura, I seek wisdom daily too. Love your scriptures on it.
Hi Debbie, thanks so much for stopping by! There are so many great Bible verses on the importance of seeking godly wisdom…it’s definitely worth digging into. 🙂 Happy New Year to you!