Transforming Your New Year Resolutions: How Spending Time with God Leads to True Change
As we step into 2025, many of us are making New Year's resolutions. It's a time for fresh starts, renewed goals, and reflections on how we can improve. But here's the thing: while resolutions are often about our willpower and determination, they rarely last without lasting change. So, what's missing?
The Power of Will Alone Is Not Enough
We often rely on our own willpower to make changes, but let's be real: New Year's resolutions can fizzle out quickly. The statistics are staggering—most resolutions don’t stick, and we can only push ourselves so far with grit and determination. Change needs to be deeper than willpower alone.
True Transformation Comes From God
When it comes to real, lasting change, it’s important to remember that true transformation is not something we can achieve on our own. It’s a work of God’s spirit. In Romans 12:2, we are told to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation happens when we invite God to be the one to change us.
Spending Time with God: The Key to Transformation
The only way to experience this transformation is by drawing closer to God. The more time we spend with Him—in prayer, in His word, and listening to the Holy Spirit—the more we become like Him. And that’s the point of everything: becoming more like Christ. If we want to make this year different, the best resolution we can make is to draw closer to God.
John 15: Abiding in the Vine
In John 15, Jesus talks about being the vine, and we are the branches. He tells us that we can do nothing without Him. In the same way, our resolutions, our efforts, and our growth will fall short without remaining connected to Him. The key to producing lasting fruit—whether it’s in our personal lives, our relationships, or our work—is abiding in Him.
Pruning: Embracing God’s Work in Us
God will prune us—He'll remove what’s unnecessary or distracting so that we can grow. This process can be painful, but it’s necessary for our growth. Just as a vine is pruned to bear more fruit, we too are shaped by God’s refining work. The more we surrender to Him, the more we will see transformation.
The Only New Year’s Resolution You Need
This year, instead of focusing on self-improvement alone, make the decision to spend more time with God. If you do, you’ll find that everything else—your relationships, your work, your mindset—will change. You’ll have more wisdom, more patience, more strength, and more of His peace. You’ll become the person He created you to be.
Conclusion: A Year of True Transformation
As we look ahead to 2025, let’s not just focus on resolutions that depend on our own effort. Let’s focus on connecting deeply with God and allowing Him to shape us into the people He designed us to be.
Happy New Year!
