The first morning of a new year always feels like a fresh page, doesn’t it? A chance to reflect, refocus, and let God breathe life into what’s ahead. As the sun rises on January 1, 2023, one word is stirring in my heart—Freedom. Not just as a hopeful whisper but as a bold declaration for this year to come.

Freedom, for me, is more than breaking free from what holds me back on the outside. It’s about releasing the inner struggles that weigh me down—the ones no one else sees but God knows intimately. It’s about stepping into the wide-open spaces of His grace and trusting Him to do what only He can do. After all, it’s His promise to us:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1

This verse is my guide this year. It’s an invitation to open my hands and surrender—my fears, my failures, my need to control—to the One who holds all things together. I want to:

  • Release past regrets and hurts that I’ve been holding onto too tightly.
  • Step away from people-pleasing and the exhausting chase of perfection.
  • Fully embrace the person God created me to be, flaws and all.
  • Walk boldly into the opportunities and challenges He places before me.

Already, I feel God gently shifting things in my life. Old ways of thinking—those I’m not enough lies—are being replaced by His truth: I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Relationships that once felt like chains are loosening, creating space for joy and growth. And I’m learning the beauty of saying no without guilt, setting boundaries that reflect my trust in Him to take care of what’s beyond my capacity.

Freedom is also about pursuing dreams I’ve long tucked away, afraid they were too big or too impossible. But I’m reminded that if God placed them in my heart, He will make a way for them. It’s not about my striving but about my surrender.

This isn’t just a word for me—it’s a journey. Freedom is a choice I will need to make daily: to trust, to step forward, to rest in His grace. Some days will feel lighter than others, but every step will be worth it because it’s drawing me closer to Him.

What about you? Have you chosen a word for this year? If you haven’t, I encourage you to pray about it. Ask God to give you a word that will anchor you, challenge you, and lead you closer to His heart. Because wherever you are and whatever this year holds, He is with you, working all things for good.

Here’s to a year of freedom—and to the abundant, beautiful, messy, and grace-filled journey ahead.