God is Calling You to Do Something with 2025

As we start a new year, I am challenged to think back about what I have accomplished last year, but I am also challenged to think ahead about what I desire to do. How do I want to change? Often people dismiss making New Year’s resolutions or setting goals as a waste of time, but I believe there is value in doing this. As someone once said, “If you aim for nothing, you are sure to hit it.” The implication is that we should take a moment to aim for something…some target…and that requires aiming at a target. I get it, though, if we don’t follow through and do the goals we set, it might seem like the whole effort is worthless.
 
The story is told about a boy who said to his father, "Dad, if three frogs were sitting on a limb that hung over a pool, and one frog decided to jump off into the pool, how many frogs would be left on the limb?" The dad replied, "Two." "No," the son replied. "There are three frogs and one decides to jump, how many are left?" The dad says, "Oh, I get it, if one decides to jump, the others would too. So, there are none left." The boy says, "No dad, the answer is three. The frog only DECIDED to jump." Does that sound like last year’s resolutions? Great resolutions and goals, but they’re never acted on them, and months later we are still on the same limb of do-nothing.
 
Statistics show that goals involving our relationship with God often have a low priority. We set goals to get physically in shape and get at a healthy weight, to get more stable financially by reducing debt, following up on some personal interest, going back to school, or getting some training to improve a skill. We set goals to manage our time better, to spend more time with family and the kids, or to organize our spaces and reduce the clutter. These are all good things to pay attention to and to address, however, I want to encourage you to also consider how you will get to know God better and become a more dedicated follower of Jesus.
 
What might you do in the New Year to know God better and become a more dedicated follower? Here are some suggestions to get you started: Begin each week by worshipping as the church on Sunday. Participate in at lease one group Bible study each week. Reflect on how God has “wired” you with a skillset to serve others in ministry, and find another Christian with whom you can serve others to make a difference. Pick up a copy of “Our Daily Bread” (or find a plan online) and read through the Bible in a year. Pick a time(s) each day for dedicated prayer in communication with the Lord. Be pro-active about leading your children or grandchildren to Jesus through devotions at home and becoming engaged with youth group. Choose someone you know who doesn’t know Jesus as their Savior and who does not go to church, and get intentional about praying for their relationship with God while looking for “open doors” to share what God is doing in your life, what Jesus has done to provide salvation, and to invite them to join you in attending various events led by the church. Be creative! What’s God laying on your heart to do in 2025?
 
Celebrating a New Year with you while we still have the opportunity.
 
Tyler

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