A New Year, A New Focus: Choosing What Truly Matters.
“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’” – Luke 10:41-42 (NLT)
Welcome to 2025. Happy New Year, dear friends!
The start of a new year often feels like a fresh page an opportunity to revise positions, recalibrate our plans or even make a fresh start and hope for a better outcome. But let’s pause for a moment: is a true fresh start even possible? The answer is yes, when our hope is anchored in God in whom nothing is impossible.
For some, the new year inspires hope, fresh resolutions, and the energy to pursue change. For others, it may feel like a brief reprieve before the realities of life come rushing back. If that’s where you are, you’re not alone. After the celebrations fade, the weight of life often feels heavier whether it’s last year’s unresolved challenges or the consequences of overspending in the excitement of the holidays.
But here’s the good news: no matter what your situation looks like, God’s grace is available to you always. So yes, celebrate! Just let your celebration come from a place of wisdom and trust in God’s guidance.
Reflecting on Last Year
Last year may have been a mixed bag for many of us. On a global level, there were political and social shifts that impacted lives in profound ways. On a personal level, you might have experienced moments of joy, but also moments of hardship maybe a health scare, financial strain, relationship challenges, the loss of a job or, the loss of someone dear to you.
In those moments, it’s easy to feel like no one else understands what you’re going through. This is the moment some of us got stuck last year. We forgot to ask for the peace of God the kind that goes beyond understanding—to protect your heart and mind. We forgot to live - Christ died that we would live an abundant life and live in union with him.
Shaping Our Posture for 2025
So, how do we approach this new year? Let’s start by focusing on God’s incredible love for us. Because of His love, we are more than conquerors. Life has always had its hardships, and Jesus was honest about that. But He also assured us that we can have peace because He has overcome the world.
Jesus is not a distant God. He walked this earth and knows what it feels like to suffer, grieve, and face challenges. Yet, because He was without sin, He carried the weight of our sin and circumstances and offers us a victorious life here and now.
In 2025, let’s respond to that love by handing over control of our lives to Him completely. It’s time to stop trying to do everything on our own and start living God’s way.
Trusting God’s Plan
Here’s a comforting truth: God already has a plan for you. Your days are written in His book; your life is not random or forgotten. He sees you, understands you, and wants you to have a hope and a future.
Yet, how often do we try to solve our problems by ourselves? We consult Google, ask friends, or lean on quick fixes before turning to God. And sometimes, in our desperation, we fall prey to bad advice or false solutions. This year, let’s break that cycle and let’s not get tangled in circumstances that could have been avoided if we had only consulted God all knowing, all powerful and present everywhere.
The truth is, the world isn’t slowing down, and life’s demands aren’t letting up. But Jesus, our Good Shepherd, promises to lead us. He knows the way, and He cares deeply for you. All you need to do is follow His lead.
A Lesson from Martha and Mary
To stay grounded this year, let’s take a lesson from the story of Martha and Mary in the Bible.
Martha was hosting Jesus and she got busy with so many things except the one needful thing - Jesus called this the better part. Unlike Martha, Mary her sister sat at the feet of Jesus taking in every word. It really was that simple. Mary chose to make Jesus the center of her attention and draw instruction and communion from Him. Martha on the other hand did not center her attention on Jesus. If she had, she would not have been in a panic as she was. She would have enjoyed the peace of His presence and had the wisdom to go about the rest of her day. If we would only start to give Jesus the priority that should be His, what peace and what joy would truly be ours.
This year, let’s commit to sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to His words, drawing wisdom and strength from Him.
Practical Ways to Stay Centered on Jesus
If you’re wondering how to make Jesus the center of your life in 2025, here are a few practical steps to guide you:
Make sure your relationship with God is strong. If you haven’t already, invite Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior. Everything flows from this connection.
Start each day by surrendering to God. A simple prayer of commitment each morning can set the tone for your day.
Spend time in God’s Word daily. Reading the Bible isn’t about checking a box; it’s about hearing from God and letting His Word shape your thoughts and decisions.
Worship and praise Him regularly. Worship shifts our focus from our problems to God’s greatness. It lifts our spirits and builds our faith.
Fellowship with other believers. Surround yourself with a community that will encourage and challenge you in your faith.
Journal your journey with God. Write down your prayers, reflections, and the ways God speaks to you—it will be a source of encouragement over time.
Expect the Holy Spirit to guide you. Be open to His leading in your life.
Share your faith with others. You’ve tasted and seen that the Lord is good. Jesus said go and make disciples of all nations.
A Hopeful Year Ahead
2025 is here, and while we can’t yet tell all it will hold, we can trust the One who holds it all. Let’s approach this year with hearts open to God’s instruction and yield our hands and feet to follow His lead.
As you move through this year, may the peace of Jesus Christ guard your heart and mind. May you find direction in your endeavors even as you grow in your relationship with God. May God’s grace abound to you for glorious testimonies of His faithfulness in 2025 in the name of Jesus, Amen.
A few verses to reflect on:
Luke 1:37, Hebrews 6:18–19, Philippians 4:7, John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Colossians 2:6, John 16:33, Isaiah 53:3-4, John 1:29, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 4:19, Psalm 139, Jeremiah 10:23, John 10:11-18, 1 Peter 5:7, Luke 10:38-42, Romans 10:9, Psalm 5:1-3, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 100:4, Hebrews 10:25, Habakkuk 2:2, John 16:13, Matthew 28:19-20, Psalm 34:8, Daniel 11:32.
