2025: A YEAR TO RESET, REFOCUS, AND RECHARGE

Here are a few spiritual resets to consider as you refocus and recharge your walk of faith

A Year to Reset, Refocus, and Recharge

What if the start of a new year wasn't about resolutions but about realignment—with God, your purpose, and your priorities? The shift from December 31st to January 1st holds no magical power to transform your life, lifestyle, routines, or habits. However, it offers a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect, and intentionally choose a refocused and recharged spiritual journey. Rather than relying on the calendar to spark change, let this transition mark your commitment to align your priorities with God’s purpose and renew your passion for growth in Him.

The Gap Between Christmas and New Year

This is that weird time when you want to think about resetting some things in your life, but you know you, and you don’t want to make promises to yourself that you can’t keep.

During 2024, I spent countless early mornings immersed in writing—crafting new books, developing a Missionary Leadership Training Program, and designing specialized Bible School courses. My typical routine starts at 3 AM, and I write until 9 AM, pouring creativity into these projects. Then, I start my full working day. Sounds productive, right? And it is! But balancing all this creative work, loads of administration, calls, emails, planning, etc., with traveling over 40 weeks this year has come at a cost.

One of the things that’s been placed on hold is my regimented workout routine. Typically, I’d train for one to two hours daily, but lately, that hasn’t happened. The result? Well, let’s say I need to drop a few pounds—not a massive amount, but enough to have me concerned.

I’ll admit it: I like bread—a lot. But bread will have to go. Then there’s my six-cup-a-day coffee habit—that will need serious trimming down, too. Honestly, even writing that makes me nervous. Dropping to two cups a day? Yikes! And don’t get me started on the snacks. Candies, chips, cakes, and ice cream? All the delightful treats I love they’re on the chopping block.

So, what’s left to eat? Healthier options —green stuff that I merely tolerate. I’ll also need to up my hydration game. Hydrating with coffee (as much as I wish it counted) isn’t quite the solution my body needs.

As you can see, even I need a reset. But hey, we’re all a work in progress, right?

Let’s be honest: we’ve all made those overly ambitious resolutions that barely survive till the end of January. It’s like a gym membership—great in theory, but by February, it’s just a monthly donation.

What if this year isn’t about making big, sweeping declarations but about inviting God into the process of taking small, intentional steps? You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight; transformation often happens gradually. God is far more interested in the posture of your heart than the pace of your hustle. Yes, it’s fine to commit to losing extra weight, exercising more regularly, or tackling credit card debt—those are commendable goals. But what if you also set meaningful spiritual goals? Consider deepening your prayer life, committing to regular Bible study, or cultivating a heart of gratitude. Let this year be about aligning every aspect of your life with God’s purpose, one faithful step at a time.

Spiritual Goals Worth Pursuing

Instead of aiming for perfection in 2025, how about aiming for progress? Here are a few spiritual resets to consider as you refocus and recharge your walk of faith:

1. Start Your Day With God:

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

Mornings can be chaotic—coffee, emails, and finding matching socks can feel like a victory. But imagine starting your day with time with God. It doesn’t have to be radical. But start with reading, studying the Bible, prayer, meditation, and some communion. I would recommend not setting a time frame that you can’t keep. I would rather you spend 15 minutes than zero time. I would rather you read 1 or 2 chapters than 10 or 20 chapters and you let yourself down. Rather than work on a time frame, work on awakening desire and a starting time.

2. Be Present With People:

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

Relationships are a precious gift, yet too often our screens receive more attention than the people right in front of us. This year, let’s commit to being fully present in every interaction. Whether with family, friends, or even a stranger at the grocery store, seek opportunities to reflect God’s love through your words and actions. Be intentional about noticing God-given moments to encourage someone, offer kindness, or—most importantly—share the hope of the gospel. True presence can create lasting impact and demonstrate the love of Christ in a distracted world.

3. Choose Gratitude Over Grumbling:

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

Life is full of challenges, but it’s also full of blessings. What if every complaint was replaced with a moment of gratitude? Every time you buy food, even though the cost of living is outrageous, give thanks. Every time you fill your tank, give thanks. Cultivate the attitude of gratitude. This attitude shifts your focus and reminds you of God’s faithfulness and provision.

4. Make Time for Community:

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

Whether it’s joining a Bible study, volunteering at church, or just checking in with a friend, don’t try to do this year alone. God designed us for community. When we lean on each other, we grow stronger in our faith. Don’t forsake gathering together with the saints.

5. The Other Things:

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."(Psalm 37:5)

I’m committing to cleaning up my eating habits—smaller portions, healthier options, and cutting out the junk. If I indulge, it won’t be a daily habit—just an occasional treat. I’m also returning to the basics, simple, effective, and realistic for where I am right now.

What about you? What are the 'other things' in your life that might need a little reset or some fine-tuning? This year, let’s focus on progress by committing each day to God and taking small, faithful steps toward transformation. Together, we can realign with His purpose and experience the fullness of His promises. Let’s embark on this journey together—one small step at a time, or, in my case, one pound at a time!

Committing not just to the New Year but every day to the Lord is an intentional act of surrender, trust, and alignment with His will. Psalm 37:5 reminds us to entrust every plan, decision, and step to God, trusting His faithfulness to guide and act on our behalf. This daily commitment requires making necessary adjustments—letting go of distractions, renewing priorities, and cultivating disciplines such as prayer, Scripture meditation, and obedience. Pursuing a deeper relationship with God means seeking Him not only for guidance but for intimacy, desiring His presence above all else. As we commit each day to the Lord, we grow in faith, peace, and alignment with His purpose, experiencing the abundant life He promises.

Happy New Year, friends! Here’s to small steps, big faith, and amazing grace and provision of God.