As the New Year approaches, this is the time to naturally consider who you are becoming. We love those questions around here, and we at Become New are here to support and bless that journey. The question we want to encourage you to ask during this season is, “What does it mean to become new in 2025?”
For followers of Jesus, it’s an invitation to align our lives more closely with God’s purposes one day at a time. To help support your reflections here are three practical ways to take on this transformative journey: through prayer, community, and staying connected with resources like Become New.
Prayer: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work
Prayer is a lifestyle. Sometimes, it can feel like prayer is what we do, and miracles are what God does. There can be a kind of constant weighing of effort. Even in goal setting there can be a question of what God does and what we are supposed to do. Pastor and Author Tish Harrison Warren calls this “comparative agency”. But the truth is that our work and God’s work are not pitted against each other. They are connected. Our efforts, goals, and dreams are part of a larger story. As you look ahead to 2025, consider how prayer can shape not only your inner life but also your actions.
Warren says it like this, “The Christian understanding of agency is that all good work is a participation in the very life of God. It is our act of cooperation with the sustainer of the universe. It flows from prayer and back into prayer.”
This perspective removes the false tension between our work and God’s activity. Your daily decisions, no matter how small, are opportunities to collaborate with the Creator. Whether you’re setting professional goals or pursuing personal growth, let your work be an act of worship. Begin and end your day in prayer, trusting that God will sustain and guide you.
- Community: Transformation Through Relationship
While personal breakthroughs might happen in solitude, real change is confirmed in community. Transformation is not just for our benefit, it’s for the people around us.
How are your 2025 goals in service to others? Ask yourself:
- How will becoming a new person bless my family?
- How will my growth impact my church, workplace, or neighborhood?
- Can my transformation inspire and uplift my friends?
The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are the body of Christ, and each part matters (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). To truly become new, we need to let others see the evidence of God’s work in us. Let your renewed self-honor and uplift the people in your life.
- Stay Connected: New Resources for a New Year
Becoming new is a daily journey and Become New exists to walk alongside you. In 2025, you can deepen your spiritual growth by engaging with these resources:
- Weekly Series: Thoughtful videos and teachings to guide your week.
- Saturday Blog Posts: Written reflections to inspire and encourage.
- Daily Devotional Emails: Subscribe at becomenew.com/subscribe to receive devotionals by email or text.
Additionally, mark your calendar for these exciting opportunities:
- Steps Book Launch: Pre-order Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough by John Ortberg here.
- Steps Launch Event: Join John and the Become New Team at Crossings Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Saturday, February 8, 2025 for a launch event. The event will be at the OKC Campus at 14600 N. Portland Ave OKC, OK 73134. John will speak about his newest book, Steps, and the team will have an opportunity to fellowship with our Become New community. Want to join? Let us know you’ll be there! RSVP now.
A Call to Action for 2025
As you prepare for the New Year, remember that becoming new is not about perfection; it’s about small, faithful steps. Through prayer, community, and staying connected with resources, you can invite God to shape your journey. This year let’s commit to a life of transformation one day at a time.
Subscribe to Become New, join us in prayer and community, and let’s step boldly into 2025 with faith and purpose.
By Brandon Gilliam