This morning I found a devotional from in(courage) in my mailbox.  The graphic said,

“one simple word can make a difference”

The message invited me to get help in finding my word for the year by taking this quiz at dayspring.com.

I’ve never thoughtfully made a point of embracing a particular word for the year; though, in a round-about way, I suppose I’ve done so subconsciously.  The name of my blog, for instance, “Joy in the Everyday” was chosen as I made a decision to be more intentional in finding joy in the little things (and big things) in life when life itself was upside down and unsettled.

Last year, I stumbled across the word ‘abound’ during our Bible study one night.  It struck me that it would nicely sum up the plethora of hopes, desires and strivings I had for my life and my faith.  You can read all about that here.

I decided to go ahead and take the quiz.  My word? Delight. A word I may not have considered if left to my own devices.  However, I think the word ‘delight’ goes quite nicely with both ‘joy’ and ‘abound’.

Delight:
noun
1. high degree of satisfaction or pleasure, extreme satisfaction
2. something that gives great pleasure
verb
1. intransitive: to take great pleasure
2. transitive: to give joy or satisfaction to

First of all, He is my delight. He embodies all things good and pure and delightful.  I can take natural delight in good things around me, but through Him, in Him, I can find peace in even the hard and messy things of life. 

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11  

But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psalm 37:11  

Delight in the abundance of peace.  Did you see that?  Not delighting in the situation itself, but knowing I do not go alone through the tough stuff and delighting in the abundant peace, the peace that passes understanding, that is a precious gift given by my loving Father.

As well, His Word should be my delight; His will should be my delight. I want this statement to be exemplified in my life.  I want His will and His word to be important to me, to guide me, to transform each cautious step into a bold step of faith in Him.

Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.
Psalm 119:24  

I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.
Psalm 40:8  

Secondly, I need to take action: to see the Lord’s hand in all circumstances of life and take delight in it as He makes me more like His Son, as He gives His comfort and as He carries me through it.  After all, He knows every longing of my heart, every anxious thought, every tear that falls and He is in the business of making beauty from ashes.

In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul. 
Psalm 94:19

For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
Psalm 107:9 

Finally, I need to share the delight that others may experience the fullness of His love! As well, I want to be a delight to Him; I want my life to be ‘a sweet-smelling aroma‘ to Him.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16  

  …the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Proverbs 15:8

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
2 Corinthians 2:17

Let’s consider the opening quote: “one simple word can make a difference.”  

I believe that ‘delight’ could be a realistic representation of my aspirations for the year–and beyond.  As I focus on delighting in Him, there will surely be a difference in my relationship with my Heavenly Father, in my perspective and, hopefully, in my actions.  Perhaps, there will even be a ripple effect on those around me.  

Lord, with Your help, may I always find my delight in You and in Your Word; and, in turn, may I be a delight to You and to those whose lives are intertwined with mine.

Now it’s your turn.  Have you chosen a word for the year?  If so, I’d love to hear your story.  Let’s make 2019 a year of personal spiritual renewal and growth.  

Looking for more inspiration? Join me over here:

#DestinationInspiration @ Rachel Marie Lee
#LMMLinkup @ Maryandering Creatively
Inspire Me Monday #364 @ Create with Joy