2025: A New Beginning
Colossians 3:2 - Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ESV

As we start a new year, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions—regret over missed opportunities, excitement for new beginnings, or fresh challenges. One thing that doesn’t change with a new year is the amount of time we’re given.


Each day has 1,440 minutes, totaling 8,760 hours in a year. After accounting for sleep, work, and daily tasks, we’re left with about 2,920 hours to use as we choose. How will you spend the time God has entrusted to you? Will you focus on what matters for eternity, or let it slip away on things that don’t? How can you live with eternity in mind?

Matthew 22:37-39 - Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

God’s greatest commandment shows us exactly how to live in light of eternity. Only God and people have eternal value, and our time should be spent fulfilling His command. This goes against what the world teaches.

The world says we need status, power, education, wealth, and possessions to matter. But God says our worth is found in Him. Wealth and possessions are meaningless once we’re gone—“there are no trailers on hearses.” Instead of clinging to them, why not use them to serve God and others?

Our legacy is the closest thing we can leave behind with eternal significance. Will we leave behind material things, or will we leave a spiritual legacy by impacting the lives of others (2 Cor. 3:2-3)? Through faith and example, we can inspire others to follow Christ (2 Tim. 1:5).

The only things we take to heaven are our relationship with God and the people we reach for Him. Everything on earth is simply a tool to prepare for eternity. We all have the same amount of time each year—let’s use it to invest in what truly lasts.

As we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to the new year, here are some questions to reflect on:

  • Looking back on 2024, what was the most productive way you used your time with eternity in mind? What was your biggest time waster, and how can you change that in the coming year?
  • How can you balance taking necessary “downtime” and using your time for eternal purposes?
  • In 2024, what steps did you take to stay passionate in your love for God? How can you grow in this area in the New Year?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me make good use of my time and help me be eternally minded and not so focused on natural things.  Help me to live my life fully for you.  Use me to bring light into dark places.  Help me to share your love with others.  Let 2025 be a year where I am focused on what really matters.  I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.