New Year, New You

Read

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Think

Every January 1st, millions of people dust off their list of New Year’s resolutions. “This is my year,” they say with steely-eyed determination. Gym memberships skyrocket, vegetables sell out, and journals are filled with promises to finally become that person—organized, disciplined, and kale-loving. By February? The gym is quiet, the donuts are back, and the only thing organized is your Netflix queue.

Here’s the thing: resolutions tap into something real—our desire for change. Deep down, we know we’re not quite who we’re meant to be. It’s the echo of a truth as old as time: we’re created for more, but we can’t seem to get there on our own. Every failed resolution serves as a reminder that grit alone won’t fix what’s broken.

So, should we ditch resolutions altogether? Not exactly. The problem isn’t in setting goals, it’s in where we place our hope. Most resolutions focus on external change—losing weight, saving money, finally finishing that stack of unread books. But lasting transformation starts on the inside, in our hearts. And here’s the truth we don’t always want to face: we don’t just need new habits, we need a new source of strength.

This is where the gospel comes in. Real change isn’t about trying harder. God isn’t impressed by how many pounds you lose or how many miles you run. He’s after your heart. He invites you to let him do the heavy lifting, to reshape you from the inside out. Transformation doesn’t happen overnight—spiritual growth is more like planting seeds than flipping a switch. But with God’s power, change is possible.

So, this year, set your goals, but hold them loosely. Instead of striving, invite God into the process. Let your resolution be to rely on him—to grow in grace, to love deeper, and to live with purpose. Because the best transformation isn’t found in the gym or the bank account—it’s found in a life surrendered to Jesus.

Apply

Choose one or two realistic goals that align with your spiritual growth, like spending five minutes a day in prayer, reading a chapter of the Bible daily, attending Bible study class, joining a serve team, or tithing faithfully. Start with one step.

Pray

Heavenly Father, as I step into this new year, I bring my hopes, goals, and dreams to you. Help me to see where you are leading and give me the strength to follow. Transform my heart from the inside out so that my life reflects your purpose. When I struggle or fall short, remind me that you are faithful to finish the work you’ve started in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.