Priorities for 2025

How Was 2024 for You?

Did you accomplish what you set out to achieve? Did you grow into the person you hoped to become? How much stress did you endure along the way?

Every year, I hear people reflect on how difficult the previous year was. We long for smooth sailing, but life rarely goes exactly the way we hope. So how do we respond when things don’t work out as planned?

There are major life changes that we cannot control—such as the death of a loved one or the end of a significant relationship. Yet, there are also challenges we bring upon ourselves—financial struggles due to poor decisions or losing a job because of a lack of focus.

The reality is simple: life happens.

Take a moment to reflect on the past year:

• What consumed most of your focus?

• What did your daily routines look like?

• How valuable were your relationships?

• How would you describe your relationship with God?

As a new year begins, it’s easy to set big aspirations—promising ourselves to “be better” or “do better.” Yet by mid-January, many of us fall back into familiar habits and routines.

If there’s one thing you could change this year, one area to prioritize above all else, let it be this:

Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God.

Now, before you start thinking, “I’ve got this—I just need to (insert plan here),” consider this: perhaps the first step is aligning your priorities with God’s.

Ephesians 2:10 reminds us:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

This verse is powerful because it reveals that God has already envisioned something extraordinary for each of us. Our role is to take the time to listen and discover what He has purposed for us.

When we live into who God says we are—using the gifts, talents, and passions He’s given us—we find purpose and meaning. Our lives become a reflection of His image and glory.

So, how can this be accomplished?

1. Pray – Prioritize communicating with God. Share your heart—your hopes, fears, and desires, big or small.

2. Read – Dedicate time to scripture to understand God’s character and how He is shaping you to reflect Christ.

3. Worship – Make worship a central part of your life, celebrating who God is and all He has done.

4. Speak – Tell others about the ways God is working in your life.

5. Serve – Take intentional steps to make someone else’s life better.

Be patient with yourself. Studies show it takes about six weeks for new habits to take root. There will be days you miss the mark, but don’t give up. Start again and keep going. Growth takes time—just as a seed takes time to sprout and grow leaves, your journey with God requires persistence and care.

Imagine what your year could look like if you shifted your priorities to align with God’s. Imagine the transformation that could take place as you grow closer to the person He created you to be.

So, as we look ahead, ask yourself:

• What will you prioritize in 2025?

• What steps will you take to focus on God this year?

This could be the year your life takes a new direction—one led by His purpose and guided by His grace.