2025 The Best Year of Your Life

 

Well, the calendar says it’s winter and the only way we can tell in South Texas half the time is the cold water tap actually has cold water coming forth again. I imagine the wintry weather will sneak in eventually and hopefully bring some much-needed rain with it. It’s also time to think about the new year and as always, we tend to make promises to ourselves that generally last about a week. Unhealthy habits are the most often desired to rid from our life and the hardest to rid from our life. I’ve found a sure-fire way to reach that goal. Simple human behavior takes repetitive acts and, experts tell us, in thirty days those acts become a habit. We have in essence incorporated new behavior in our lifestyle. Of course, not all new behavior is negative, but some are very unhealthy, socially, and physically. We tend to recognize unhealthy habits and continually promise ourselves to get rid of them. So, if it takes thirty days to form a habit it only makes sense it’s going to take thirty days to break a habit. I contend it takes thirty-one days because it takes one day to convince oneself to determine they really want to do it. That’s the hard part. Then it’s one day at a time struggling to battle and conquer the goal in mind. Thirty days - that’s all! Good luck!

We have all seen a toddler crawling around a room, eagerly eyeing furniture that can be used for leverage when the time comes for “pulling-up.” We have also seen that toddler reach the “pull-up” stage and move to the walking “without no-holds.” We rightly praise and encourage such behavior. We know that growth is only achieved by going beyond present circumstances. What we sometimes forget is that we (adults) need to grow also. That growth, though it may be imperceptible to the eye, is still real growth.

Let us consider some things we need to move beyond in order for us to grow spiritually. Our achievements will only be as high as our heist goals. If we aspire to be pew-warmers only, that is all we will be. Our minds will not be engaged in the private study of the Word of God and our faith will not be challenged by the Word’s clash with the world in our daily life. We dare not be content with “just being religious.” Here’s a challenge for us: “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1). That ought to raise our goal. Make 2025 the best year of your life with determination, and God’s help.

There is no doubt about it, in this world we will have tribulation (John 16:33), or trouble. Persecution is to be expected (2 Timothy 3:12). Further, physical accidents and health failures occur regularly, as does death. Christians are not immune to any of these things. Therefore, when these occur in our life, we must deal with them in a realistic, optimistic manner. There is no way that will minimize the importance of our own health or the personhood of those we love. However, if we cannot accept the loss of something or someone that/who is truly gone from this life, we will suffer serious mental and spiritual consequences. Make 2025 the best year of your life with determination, and God’s help.

We all have certain limitations. They may be in our physical make-up or circumstances. However, we can move beyond some of those limitations. For example, we may hold a job that pays minimum wages. However, that doesn’t mean that we or the job are insignificant. We can work enthusiastically at any job we may hold (Ecclesiastes 5:1). We can do the best we can with what God has given and be satisfied in the realization that we have done so. Make 2025 the best year of your life. Approach it with determination, and God’s help.

Growth, by its nature, means moving beyond the present circumstance to even better circumstances. If we approach it in that manner, even the most disheartening of circumstances can be faced with courage and optimism. It’s time to go beyond and grow.