How did we get here already? The end of the year has snuck up on us.
I used to have a list of goals I wanted to accomplish – But I have learned as I’ve gotten older, God’s timing isn’t constrained from year to year.
Sometimes the desires of our hearts don’t happen in the year we want it to.
Maybe you said 2025 was the year you would:
– get married
– move to the city
– find your dream job
– have a baby
– find community
– reach your fitness goals
– find happiness
– travel
– retire
...and the year came and went with your goals left unchecked.
I understand how that unchecked box could leave you feeling empty.
New Year’s resolutions? – maybe we are going about this all wrong.
I think if we all look back on the year, we will find things that weren’t on our “list” that were unexpected blessings.
Maybe God showed off in miraculous ways, but you were so busy thinking about your unchecked boxes you forgot about all of the wonders.
Maybe we should begin the year by asking God, “What do you want for my life this year? How do you want to use me?”
For we are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)
I gave up New Year’s resolutions a few years ago and instead picked a word for the year. I would pray about what word God wanted me to focus on and once it came to me, that was my word.
Even if it was something like “patience” (which I needed more of but didn’t want to focus on!)
This year my word was “grow.” I honestly didn’t understand how that word would fit for me.
But God did.
There were parts of my life I once believed I’d never overcome — and yet this year, I truly did.
God grew me. And he didn’t just grow me in the little areas of my life. He grew me in the hardest place that I didn’t want to touch.
And to think – God loves me so much to push me in areas he knows will help me heal.
He didn’t want to leave me broken.
And that’s how much God loves YOU too!
He already knows the desires of your heart. And even if He sees you grieving over what didn’t come to pass in 2025, doesn’t mean he’s distant or doesn’t care.
His timing isn’t our timing, and he doesn’t set your dreams on a ticking timeclock from year to year.
So maybe this year you could choose a word as well, and take a moment to reflect on all the unexpected blessings God has placed in your life.
