A Word for 2024.

As 2023 came to a close, I found myself prayerfully searching for my word for 2024. This something that I like to do every year. If you’ve never done this before, it’s a great way to set an intention, focus on personal growth, or guide your actions and mindset throughout the year. Keep reading to learn more!

Prayer and Reflection

I started this process with prayer, asking God for insight into the areas of my life that needed attention, growth, or transformation in the coming year. I also took some time to reflect on the lessons, challenges, and blessings of the past year. One thing that stood out to me is my tendency to let my circumstances dictate my actions sometimes. “I literally cannot even with this right now” or “I’m not in the mood to deal with this” or “I don’t want to do anything but sit here” are all things I’ve grown accustomed to saying too often. I felt a need to work on that.

Scripture Study

During one of my times of morning prayer, I came across John 15. Now, I know I’ve definitely read this chapter before, but the word ‘abide’ stood out to me in a way that it never had before. Intrigued, I went on a deeeep dive into the word, leading me to my next step.

Defining the Word (Biblically)

If your word, like mine, can be used in a secular context, it helps to explore its biblical meaning. Try looking for instances where the word is used in the Bible to help gain a deeper understanding of its significance in a biblical context. For me, I learned that the word ‘abide’ can mean anything from obeying a rule, to tolerating something, to residing in a particular place. But from a biblical perspective, the word abide signifies a deep, enduring connection to God. It demonstrates a continued trust in the knowledge that He is all that we need.

Applying the Word

Over the course of the year, I plan to use my word as a guide. For me, this means memorizing scriptures that reinforce my word, incorporating it into my daily devotions/prayers, and creating visual reminders. For you, that can look a little different. Whatever you decide, make a commitment to reflect on how it applies to different aspects of your life and seek God’s guidance in living out the word. This small act can serve as a source of inspiration and guidance, and personal/spiritual growth throughout the year.

Do you have a word for 2024?