Walk: My One Word for the New Year
For several years, I’ve enjoyed the New Year’s practice of choosing one word on which to focus for twelve months. This year, my word is “walk.”
For several years, I’ve enjoyed the New Year’s practice of choosing one word on which to focus for twelve months. This year, my word is “walk.”
The word (or some form of it) fairly leapt off my Bible’s page a few days ago. The first place I noticed it was in Genesis 3:8-10. That’s where Scripture says God walked in the Garden of Eden. After that, I saw it twice in a list of Adam’s descendants.
Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him. (Genesis 5:24)
This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. (Genesis 6:9)
I haven’t begun to compile a complete list of other verses yet, but here are three that come to mind for now:
- “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
- “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
- “Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” (Colossians 2:6)
These verses all go hand-in-hand with an online definition that says to walk is “to follow a certain course of life or to conduct oneself in a certain way.” Within the context of my one word for 2025, then, disciples of Jesus ought to walk, behave, or conduct themselves as He did.
So how does my one word for the new year apply?
These little gems help me understand how “walk” applies to everyday life:
- To walk is to make forward progress.
It’s the opposite of backsliding or remaining in the same place a.k.a. “spinning our wheels.” For me, this means inviting the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in my life where I’m stuck and to show me how to get unstuck.
Are there habits in my life that drag me backwards, away from intimacy with God? Do I engage in behaviors that hinder my relationship with Him? If so, get rid of them so I’m free to move forward.
- The Greek word for “walk” denotes moving at a steady pace, not a sprint.
Certain seasons of life feel like a race pace. Some feel more carefree, like when we enjoy good health, sweet relationships, purposeful work, contentment, and joy. But life isn’t always like that. Some mornings, it’s hard to get out of bed. That’s when we’re called to persevere, to put one foot in front of the other, to keep plodding, keep moving albeit at a snail’s pace.
We needn’t compare ourselves to others whose lives are functioning at a different pace than ours. Let’s focus on Jesus and keep walking. Steady on, my friend.
- To walk involves making choices and setting priorities.
I just returned from visiting my son and his family. On Saturday afternoon, we went outside to catch some fresh air and exercise. Doing so meant setting table games aside for awhile. We paused one activity in lieu of another. It works the same way in the spiritual realm.
It’s easy to fill up our time with work, social media, hobbies, and legitimate ministry endeavors. There’s nothing wrong with doing any of these things, but we need to make our walk with Jesus a priority. This means pressing pause on other things. We’ll be healthier for it.
One more insight about walking
I always have a destination in mind when I go for a walk. Somedays, I walk to the nearest mailbox and back (2,000 steps). Other days, I walk to the recycle bins to drop off paper, tins, and plastics. If I have free time, I might walk the path that follows the river for a half hour.
Keeping to my work schedule means I don’t meander when I take a walk-break. I stay on the path and don’t deviate wherever my heart desires (except when I see tulips and daffodils bloom and my heart tells me to stop and take pictures).
In the spiritual realm, my ultimate destination is to be like Jesus. The path, or course of life, I choose each day determines my success. I don’t want to deviate, distracted by whims or selfish wants. I don’t want to experience delays caused by poor choices. I want to reach the point of reflecting Jesus no matter who or what comes my way, and I want to get there sooner than later, so I’m going to do everything I can to stay on task.
As 2025 begins, I look forward to growing in my walk with Jesus. Where will that walk lead? What will I encounter along the way? I don’t know what the year holds, but I know He’ll walk with me every step of the way.
For interest sake, here are a couple other blogs about my special words in the past.
“listen” — https://www.gracefox.com/why-i-didnt-want-this-one-word-for-2020/
“great” — https://www.gracefox.com/great-my-one-word-for-2016/
How about you?
When a new year rolls around, do you choose one word on which focus? If so, what is it for 2025?
Know you are loved,
Grace
I like the idea of a word for my new year to learn what God would have. I’m thinking grateful in all things with thanksgiving.
I believe if I would pursue grateful that life would be better and i would be more content where i am presently.
I moved in with mom last year, dad passed in April, mom is 92. My daughter and husband live next door i babysat my only granddaughter who is 2. I try to work on my visual art as i can.
Sometimes life feels on hold, passing by me, i’m 74. So i will study the word grateful.
Hi Lynn:
It sounds like your plate is full! “Grateful” is a wonderful word on which to focus. Did you know that giving thanks, especially when we don’t feel like it, can change the pathways in our brain? It works wonders for us even in the physical realm. Maybe that’s why God tells us to give thanks in all things. He knows it’s healthy for us in every way.
Know you are loved,
Grace
JOY. I don’t usually choose a “word for the year”; however, the word JOY keeps popping up all over 😊😊 so I’m going to focus on Choosing Joy. And knowing that Joy can be a continual under-current, co-existing even with sorrow or unexpected conflict or concerns – because Jesus walks with me – gives me great Joy. There’s my “word for the year” summed up. Blessings as you, too, walk with Jesus; may your path be paved with Joy. 😊🙏🏻😊🙏🏻😊
Hi Linda:
“Joy” is a great word on which to focus. You’re absolutely right — joy can co-incide with sorrow and unexpected conflict and concerns because Jesus is with us.
May the word “joy” continue to pop up everywhere you turn 🙂
Know you are loved,
Grace
Grace, How timely that I read your words today. I had asked you and another woman named Faith offered to pray for me, too. Today I felt a miracle. God’s direction affirmation. It came às a complete surprise. This moment gave me peace within and a nod to my heart that God indeed is guiding my footsteps. He will continue to guide me where I am to live. Your words offered will be used to support my hand in God’s as I walk toward my new home with His grace blessing me so as to bless Him with my life. May my words reflect His desire for me.
Thank you. The power of prayer. I see now patience is such a gift when hoping for answers or directions. I continue to wait with faith, hope and love.
Hi Mary:
I love hearing about God answering prayer in His kids’ lives. May He continue to guide your steps and prepare your heart as you make a move. He is with you as you go.
Know you are loved,
Grace
I took a course with you in the fall of 2022. I took your advice and chose a word for 2023. The word was “joy”. All year I constantly questioned what brought me joy, how could I bring more joy to my life and also cut out things that did not bring me joy (including people). 2024 my word was “imagine”. As I retired last June from 27 years of teaching, I imagined what my new life would look like and what I wanted to do with my new found freedom. This year I have chosen the word “grace”. I am very self critical and I want to show myself the grace and love that others show me. Sounds simple, but very difficult for me. I love your words too!💕😊
Hi Sarah:
The word “grace” is a rich word on which to focus. Explore what the Word says about God’s grace toward you. I’m sure that the insights you’ll glean will help overcome your struggle with being self-critical.
Happy New Year, and know you are loved!
Grace
Grace, thank you for a very timely message you shared today. I am in the process of improving my daily communion with God. I have been challenged by the New Year’s message at church about prayer( not about asking God for things) but knowing Him more as I set time talking to Him and studying his word. God bless you and your ministry. I would like to set a word for this year as “prayer” which is very close to the word “Walk”.
In Christ
Lynn
Grace, I love your word for 2025! I never thought to choose a word to focus on for the year, but after reading this news letter, I decided to do just that and my word will be Praise for 2025. In retrospect, I seem to only praise God on Sunday in worship when singing, or when someone is sick and I pray for her and she is healed, I say “Praise the Lord”. That’s it! So thank you for helping me with a way to think about praising God all the time. A word to focus on for the year of 2025!
Praise God and many blessings to you!
Hi Patricia!
“Praise” was my word several years ago. It’s a good one; it encouraged me to check my attitude when things didn’t go as I wished or someone said something hurtful. It kept my focus on the Lord rather than on circumstances, and that made a world of difference in my perspective. It will be fun and exciting to see how God helps you apply it and how it changes your life.
Happy New Year, and know you are loved!
Grace
Grace, thank you so much for this sweet sweet moment of intimacy with God. You’ve given me much to sit with and meditate on. I needed to be reminded to walk with God and not ahead of Him. I’m encouraged by todays’ reading. I’ve read previously about your “One Word” for the year but never kept focus on my own. I’m trying to let things sit in my spirit before I commit for 2025.
Thank you so much, and may God bless you, your family, and ministry richly.
Genevia
Hi Genevia!
Thanks for sharing the thought about walking with God and not ahead of Him. Yes, I’ll have to incorporate that nugget, too.
Like I said in my blog, not everyone engages in this practice of choosing one focus word. This isn’t a “right versus wrong” thing. If you don’t feel the nudge to prayerfully choose a word, then don’t. Just stay in God’s Word on a regular basis and delight in Him. 🙂
Know you are loved,
Grace
I have chosen the word DECIDE this year, after making a list of several words to choose from. The older I get, the harder it is to make a decision. I want to learn to accept making progress, not achieve perfection in any area of my life where I need to make decisions. Every behaviour, attitude, habit, & daily choices require me to decide how to live my life pleasing to the Lord, & to have healthy outcomes for myself. I pray daily that God will help me make good choices in my decisions. 🙏🏻
Hi Marj:
“Decide” sounds like a great word for you this year. I like what you wrote about making decisions based on progress, not perfection. Wonderful insight. If we make decisions based on a desire for perfection, we’ll end up stuck. May God continue to grant wise insights and lead you in every choice you face in 2025.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Thanks Grace, I really enjoyed this post and reading others peoples words and comments too. I have been choosing a word for the year for several years now as well.
I don’t make resolutions for the year. Instead, after reflection of the past year and some meditation, I choose a word that speaks to my spirit to place my intentions for the upcoming months ahead. There were many times in 2024 where “space” was absolutely at the forefront. Whether it was filling my own space, making space in my calendar for others, or simply being aware of, and caring for the space around me. For 2025 – my word is “Light”.
God created the earth and provides light via the sun, moon and stars. Jesus came to earth and became light for the world. The wisemen followed a light to find him. There was a light that shown when Jesus was baptized. And I hope in 2025, I let my light so shine towards others that they may see my good works and glorify my Father, in heaven. (Matt. 5:16)
Hi Cathy! Thanks for sharing your word for 2025 with us. “Light” is a good one. I’ll be exploring it more as I develop the teaching videos to accompany Names of God: Knowing Peace because one of the names is Yahweh Ori — the LORD is light.
May you reflect His light wherever you go this year. May your life and your love for Jesus draw others to His light.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Hi Grace,
I loved your post! What a privilege it is to receive a special word that serves as guide, in a sense, for our year ahead. I love when December rolls around and I can begin to seek the Lord for His word for me for the year just ahead. This year I got the word PRUDENT. At first, I felt sad, thinking after decades of walking with Jesus, I should already have that down! But when I began to study it deeply, it left me with a heart of gratitude, feeling that this year ahead is one of great expectation-––trusting that Jesus is calling me deeper and will do a beautiful work in my heart. As I began to gather synonyms I realized how valuable this word is and felt so loved that Jesus has a plan to work this more deeply into my heart as I press in to Him. What a privilege it is being His daughters , isn’t it!? We are all so blessed!
Bless you, sweet friend,
Deb
Hi Deb! Thanks so much for sharing in the discussion happening here. Your word for 2025 intrigues me, and it will be fun to see how God rolls it out for you this year.
I totally agree with you — we are privileged to be God’s daughters. We’re chosen, adopted, and cherished. No matter what 2025 brings, we’re secure in His love and faithfulness.
Know you are loved, my friend,
Grace