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:

TELL HIS STORY; INSTAENCOURAGEMENTS;  LET’S HAVE COFFEE;