In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
—John 1:4-5 (ESV)
As the year draws to a close, many of us begin to reflect on the past and look toward the future with hope for a better year ahead. Some approach 2025 armed with plans and resolutions, while others may feel disheartened by setbacks and disappointments from the past year. Regardless of our individual circumstances, one thing is certain: we are all living by the GRACE of GOD and will need to navigate the coming year with HIS guidance. If you desire to do better in the new year, remember that you need JESUS. Your success transcends your own efforts and the physical realm; it is rooted in recognizing and acknowledging HIM as the source of your strength. This is what the enemy seeks to undermine—JESUS being glorified through your life.
Throughout my life, I had often relied on my gifts and skills to navigate challenges and goals, only to find that my efforts did not yield the results I envisioned. I attempted to use my own strength to fulfill GOD's purpose for me, but I learned that it takes divine intervention and GRACE to accomplish great things. GOD is the author of great things. The life we possess in our flesh is insufficient; TRUE LIFE —THE LIFE that brings LIGHT—comes from JESUS. This LIGHT pierces through darkness and overcomes it. We live in a world filled with challenges, and on our own, we cannot prevail. We need illumination. Just as a torch dispels darkness, JESUS illuminates our life and path. While we may be alive by human standards, true life that enables us to overcome and prevail begins when JESUS' LIFE dwells within us.
As you enter 2025, remember that doing things the same way-living without JESUS- will not yield different results. You cannot pour new wine into old wineskins! If you want to see change in your life, it will require JESUS' transformative power because in HIM is the LIFE that conquers all evil. You need HIM; success without CHRIST is hollow and empty. You may achieve high scores or receive accolades, but without CHRIST at the center, these accomplishments offer no true fulfillment.
Today, many people have become ensnared by worldly pursuits, often prioritizing money and earthly acceptance over JESUS. The need and desire of financial gain has lead individuals to believe that working harder or resorting to unethical means is necessary for survival in a challenging economic landscape. This mindset causes neglect of our spiritual life even our relationship with JESUS. Some may feel that attending church is unnecessary because they can engage with their faith online or alone at home. Others view the church as merely a business or feel pressured to contribute financially for acceptance and so go out for money with the hope of being applauded neglecting their place in the church. For others pursuing greener pastures abroad can lead them to expend their energy on pursuits that ultimately hold no eternal value. Any life lived apart from JESUS is shrouded in darkness because HE is the TRUE LIGHT; anything else posing as light is merely a counterfeit.
Now is the time to invite JESUS into your life. You have struggled long enough on your own; HE offers ease and rest from our earthly toil and weary soul. As Matthew 11:28-30 assures us: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
You can surrender your life to HIM today and experience a profound transformation in the coming year. Remember that HE is THE WAY, which means there is only ONE TRUE PATH; any other way leads to falsehood. If you genuinely surrender to JESUS, HE will make 2025 a year of growth and fulfillment.
Heavenly FATHER, I thank YOU for my life. I admit that I am a sinner. Please have mercy on me. I know that without YOU, I cannot navigate this life. Today, I accept YOU as my LORD and personal SAVIOR; please take control of my life. Have YOUR way and be GLORIFIED.
Dear LORD,
Thank YOU for bringing me this far in the year. I trust YOUR grace and mercy to take me through the rest of the year and into 2025. I pray that YOU will fill me with YOUR life even as I surrender to YOU, that I may overcome and succeed in the year 2025.
