As we approach the start of 2025 in just a couple of days, it’s a great time to reflect on the past year and consider the year ahead. Instead of making New Year resolutions, if we focused on making the right priorities, the New Resolutions will be a natural byproduct of those priorities. Whether or not we achieve specific resolutions, we’ll still be moving in the right direction—growing and developing in ways that align with God’s purpose for us.
Here are some areas to reflect on as we plan for 2025:
1.How will we spend our time, money, and energy in the coming year?
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory. Psalm 63:1-2
I hope to cultivate the kind of longing for the Lord that the passage above describes. While many things in life can momentarily ease our thirst, they ultimately leave us disappointed, thirsty, empty, and bankrupt. He is the only true source of life, hope, and encouragement in every season of life!
Prioritizing time for the Lord and our family should be at the top of our list. Other areas that require our attention are as follows: Working diligently, tithing, saving, and giving. Developing a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and regular exercise will also be vital. Additionally, investing in healthy friendships will be crucial for our emotional well-being.
2. Grow in the areas of your weakness
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13
Let faith, hope, and love rule our lives, choking out fear, hopelessness, and pride. Learn to deny yourself. Patience will ripen the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), allowing others to see more of Christ in us.
I desire to mature and put away the immature and childish ways of handling life. Let us bring our immature and self-centered habits to the Cross, laying them before the Lord. May He help us to love deeply and live better with others!
What areas do you need to do better? Do you tend to gossip, get emotional, have a short temper, get offended, compete, or be insecure? Make it as specific as possible and find scriptures to mediate on that will help you in that area.
3.Finally, make time for the lost and discipling others
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30
Discipling others is how communities are transformed, and the Kingdom of God is advanced. While it’s natural to prefer being around like-minded people, the lost need to be reached. It’s not always easy to engage with prickly, opinionated, or difficult individuals, but everyone needs Jesus! Let’s ask the Lord for the grace to serve those who differ from us in behavior, culture, lifestyle, or political views, and reach them for Christ.
I pray that we seize the moments God gives us to grow in Him and to reach those He places within our sphere of influence!
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay