A Fresh Start For 2025

In the New Year, many people often want to make a fresh start. Many will make New Year’s resolutions to be better or more disciplined in certain areas of their lives. For many Christians, they may seek to be more intentional about their relationship with God. They will commit to spending more time in his word and prayer. Some may wish to give more or spend more time in doing ministry. Some may seek to develop new and better habits, like joining a prayer group or attending a Bible study group.

Such endeavors are good to build a greater personal walk with Christ; yet, sometimes we try to bombard our lives with so much religion that we find it hard to grow our faith. It’s like a good fertilizer that will help a plant to grow; but, too much will kill the plant. In like manner, for people who wish to take the occasion of New Year’s to start a new approach to their walk of faith, our resolutions may be short-lived if they are not realistic.

This is why it is crucial to pray and seek God’s plan for our lives. Many times, we try to do so much that we begin to lose steam and wear down too quickly, and eventually, we stop. Let’s face it: The same happens with other resolutions like losing weight, exercising, and dieting. When we set unrealistic goals that are hard to reach, we may be setting ourselves up for failure.   

So, how can we start fresh in the New Year and grow closer to God without getting caught in the resolution trap? One thing you should do is to pray for guidance and allow God to show you where you should dedicate your efforts to become better in your Christian walk. By doing this, one may find that even though there may be several areas that need improvement, working on one at a time could see greater success than trying to fix it all at one time. By nature, we tend to approach life with various strategies; however, we would better profit by seeking God’s plan for us. Proverbs 19:21 says;

²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Another way that helps us is having an accountability partner. We are not meant to go at it alone. We are the Body of Christ for purpose and reason: There is strength in numbers. The Word of God says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12;

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: ¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. ¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? ¹² Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

It’s when we look to help one another that God provides the power we need to be better Christians. Furthermore, as we work hand-in-hand to become better for the sake of the Kingdom, God will be there with us. In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus says;

¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

This is what’s so encouraging about seeking God’s way to further our walk with Him. He will not only provide the fellowship of other believers to encourage us on our journey, but he will provide His Spirit to give us the power we need to be successful in our quest to be better for His Kingdom. Isaiah 40:28-31 with these words:

²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. ²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. ³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

So, as we look toward the New Year, don’t be discouraged by the idea of improving your walk of faith. Allow God to speak to you to understand His will for the coming days, and embrace what He has for you as you strive to be all that He wants you to be for the Kingdom.