ENTERING 2025

Today marks the last weekend of the year. I wonder how many of us will take time to reflect on 2024. For me, 2024 was an eventful year. The Lord has led me through challenging times, provided for me when I was most in need, and delivered me from the company’s financial crisis. Once again, the Lord has shown Himself faithful in our limitations and weaknesses. He deserves all honour, praise, and thanks.

As we enter 2025, there will be uncertainties, challenges, and crisis. However, the Lord has taught me that the peace which transcends all understanding is a peace that comes from the presence of God in every situation of our lives. When God is with you, there is nothing to fear.

Preparation is essential when something important is heading your way. Whether it's a wedding, buying a house, starting a new career, or beginning school, the list goes on. It would be unthinkable to do nothing to prepare oneself spiritually for entering a new year. Here are some suggestions for preparing yourself spiritually for 2025:

1. Beware of Spiritual Gravity – Spiritually, we face adversaries: the flesh and the world, which constantly pull us downwards, away from God. Rev. Edmund Chan uses the term "be intentional." Spiritual gravity is the why. Spiritual progress is not accomplished through passivity but through an active decision to do God’s will. Philippians 2:13: "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."
2. Depend on God through Prayer – Prayer is an act of faith. Unless we believe in a God who hears and answers prayer, many will rely solely on their own abilities to fulfil tasks. Prayer provides numerous benefits, including dependence, humility, an expression of faith, and communication with God. Prayer is so often neglected by Christians, which leads to many unstable and weak believers. Let us commit to praying more in 2025.
3. Be a Builder of Relationships – How many of our conversations tear others down instead of building relationships? Be mindful of how you communicate in 2025. Speak truth with good intentions and an attitude of love. Stop a conversation if it begins to tear someone down. Our words, like a knife, can either hurt or heal—when used in the hands of God, they can be instruments of healing.

May these thoughts inspire you to prepare yourself spiritually for entering the New Year. May the Lord bless you and keep you in 2025.