David Marques

Every year I take the first week of January to prayerfully consider a word that best describes how I am being called to grow. This is a process I’ve followed for many years which you can read about it in this post. A word of the year offers continuation to what I’ve experienced the previous 12 months while also challenging me for what is ahead. It offers perspective and meaning to multiple areas of my life.

For 2024 my word of the year is hope. This is not a word I would have chosen a year ago. The experiences of last year have allowed me to see a different meaning to the word hope and what it means for someone to experience it. I believe my growth as a husband, father, son, brother, friend and leader lies on how I recognize hope in my life and how I offer it to others. As a Christ-follower hope also carries a sense of peace that makes me excited for what is ahead in this new year.

What is Hope?

The dictionary describes hope as “a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen.” Other descriptions frame hope as this balance between the lack of certainty but with confidence in an outcome. Ultimately hope is hard to explain but most of us can identify it as this clinging for a positive outcome. Yes, it can be used in a negative setting but it is rooted in good ambition. We all hope for something good to come our way, and it is often hope that keeps us going when life gets difficult.

“Once you choose hope, anything is possible.”

Christoper reeve

Hope connects our mind with our heart. But hope is not empty of action.

Why is Hope such an important word for me?

The start of a new year is a celebration of new opportunities. A new beginning offers a continuation of growth with a re-energized approach. This approach to the beginning of a new 12-month period is common and so are the stories of failed attempts. Whether it be going to the gym and losing weight, buying new books and committing to reading one per week, or even blogging daily, good intentions are filled with hope and often fail because of a lack of action. I think that is why hope is such an important word for me.

The desire for a positive outcome is not an exercise in wishful thinking without responsibility. My hopes are rooted in understanding the boundaries in the opportunities around me.

Hope moves into those limits. Hope casts a vision of what it can be!

Personally…

I hope to spend more quality time with my wife and one of the ways we’re doing that is by me joining her gym. We already have the habit of exercising individually so now we are just recommitting to doing it together.

Professionally…

I hope to make my product at work a leader within our business and our industry. This hope comes from seeing how our team successfully delivered results last year while also growing in ownership of the solution; I am confident in their ability and their commitment.

Spiritually…

I hope to become more like Jesus by doing life with other men who seek God’s teachings and try to humbly apply it in their lives. This hope comes with vulnerability and the act of letting men know about my life, what I do well and where I fall short.

In each one of these areas hope is built by taking action. As a Christ-follower my hope is rooted in Jesus and his promises. When you do your part there is a sense of peace that turns hope into confidence.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

What is your word of the year? How do you see hope playing a part in your life in 2024? Share below as I would love to hear your thoughts.