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Why, yes, it is April and I’m just now writing a blog post about the word I’ve chosen to guide me in 2024. That shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s been around here for a hot minute. Writing has been a bit of a struggle for me to this point, but I think I’ve rounded the corner and am ready to move forward!

I always choose a word to use as my touchstone for the year. I try to root it in a Bible verse, too. This year, I contemplated a number of different word/verse combinations before arriving at Psalm 34:5, which says, “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” That’s the one that stuck.

I love the image that this verse evokes: a face that glows with joy. When we look to God for help, we have no reason for shame. We can shine with a joy that comes from an inner confidence- a confidence that we can only have when we rely on God.

I have a strong tendency to try to do things on my own. Emphasis on TRY. Those efforts usually end in long, miserable limp to the finish line at best. At worst, I create some pretty monumental messes that God has to clean up. In order to be radiant with joy, I have to learn to let go of my need to control everything in my life. I have to look to God for help, even with the tasks that I that typically don’t want to bother Him with.

That’s why I chose radiant as my word for this year. This year, I don’t just want to get to the finish line; I want to skip, laugh, and maybe even do a happy dance across it. I want the joy I find in relying on God to be so evident that it spills over into everything I do. Maybe it shows up in unexpected acts of kindness for strangers, or in the patience I have with loved ones. Perhaps it’s simply the way I greet the day with a genuine smile, even on the Mondays that feel like they should come with a warning label. Whatever form it takes, I want my “radiant” to be more than just a feeling – I want it to be a force that uplifts not just myself, but those around me.

Do you choose a word of the year? What is your 2024 word? I’d love to hear!!!