At the end of this past year Merriam-Webster announced what they considered to be the word of the year for 2023. Their choice was based on the increase in the number of searches online about that particular word. That word was “authentic”. It’s a great word that speaks of truth and honesty. If something or someone is authentic, they are the real thing, not a fake or reproduction. In this world of facade and deceit, it’s not surprising that people are searching for authenticity. But that was last year’s word. What’s the word of the year for 2024?

There is a popular trend now of choosing “your word” for the new year. Instead of making new year’s resolutions, people now choose a word to be their focus for the year ahead. Perhaps one word is more nebulous and easier to keep than the specifics of a resolution. But I like the line from a poem called “One” that says, “One word can frame a goal” (author unknown). It’s not a bad idea. People’s choices include words like hope, believe, courage, balance, rest, trust, wisdom, and strength. The word for the year is up to you. It’s your word, your goal, your focus.

I was not planning on choosing a word for the new year, but this year a word found me! As I was reading my Bible one morning several weeks ago a single word caught my eye and there it was, my word for 2024. CONTINUE!! This is my word of the year, because there are times that I don’t want to! I don’t want to continue, because I just don’t feel like it and I’d rather just give it all up. Fear and doubt, discouragement and weariness can get in the way sometimes. I wouldn’t be surprised if you occasionally feel that way, too. But when I struggle God has a way of nudging me with Scripture, encouraging me with song, and speaking to my heart.

The high school I attended had a public speaking class that every student was required to take. One of the assignments was to recite a poem of our choice. My friend chose a poem called “Keep A-goin’!” (I remembered the title because I thought it was such an odd poem to choose. However, I don’t have a clue what poem I used, so maybe her choice was better than mine!) I decided to see if I could find it and here it is:

The more I read that quirky poem, the more I like it. It speaks of a diligence and a positive attitude that no matter what comes our way, we need to keep on going with life.

To continue is not always easy. But it is what we must do! It’s also called perseverance, longsuffering, and commitment. This is especially true of our belief in God and what He wants us to be and calls us to do. The Bible exhorts us to “hold fast” and to “stand firm”. My husband used to tell our children to “Buck up!” Don’t quit! And, most importantly, don’t give up on God.

Here is the Bible verse that gave me my word of the year and instructed me to continue:

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. –2 Timothy 3:14,15 (It’s the KJV because that’s what I was reading at the time.)

Do you have a word for this year? I would love to know about it. If not, I recommend the word “continue”.

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