What do you want out of 2025? Really. If you could have one thing, what would it be? Decades ago I would have said, finish my education, or perfect health for my child, or a closer marriage. All good things!
But in recent years, I prayed for something different. My New Year’s resolution was something else.
I wanted to draw closer to God.
I had followed Him from childhood, some years more intentionally than others. I had read through the Bible many times. I served where I thought I was called, and wrote inspirational messages and articles, which all necessitated doing mounds of research, and tons of prayer.
But, I wanted to know Him, not just know about Him.
Want to know something totally off-the-wall that I have learned? When I am in earnest pursuit of God, those other things, like finishing education, caring for someone chronically ill, and better marriages, they often become easier or fall into place.
I don’t ignore them, but I prioritize God. When my to-do list has Him at the top, what needs to get done, will get done. There have been days when He has shifted my list to move something to another day. But it got done when it was needed.
As I pursued Him, made time for Him, studied His word, the rest of life was taken care of. I had energy when I hadn’t before. I possessed patience when it was strained before, and somehow deadlines moved. It didn’t usually make earthly sense. But it didn’t have to.
Are you willing to let 2025 be the year you prioritize God?
But Stefanie, you may say, I really don’t’ have time this year. My days, my hours are filled.
I relate.
What if you tried ten minutes a day, for three weeks?
Read a gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) for seven minutes a day. Then pray for three minutes a day. You could even use a Bible app on your phone. Most of them will read a passage to you. You can have it read to you while you tidy your living space, sort laundry, or cook a meal.
Not sure you can pray for three minutes straight? Divide it into three, one minute segments. For the first minute of your shower, pray. (My youth leader encouraged us teens to cleanse our souls while we cleansed our bodies.)
Pray before two meals. (For those of you who skip breakfast!) The first meal of the day, praise God for your blessings and your meal. The second, thank Him for the meal and lift the concerns weighing your heart.
You get the idea.
At the end of three weeks, evaluate how your days go. Did you miss those ten minutes? Do you need them back?
I wonder if you may find what I have: I can’t outgive God. When I would surrender just minutes a day, He would turn around and abundantly bless my efforts.
Ten minutes a day is 3650 minutes a year. That’s almost 61 hours a year. Imagine investing 61 hours into a relationship with someone you only know on the surface. Would you guess you might know him a lot better?
We are instructed in Zechariah 4:10 to “not despise small beginnings.” If you don’t currently have a time when you meet with God daily, I encourage you to try it this year. If you click the link here you can get a free pdf of easy Bible reading resources in your inbox. I also commit to praying daily for you for these next three weeks, as you try it out.
Prayer: Lord, I want to know You. I want to prioritize You. I am so easily distracted by the people you’ve given me to love and the tasks You have blessed me to do, please forgive me. Guide me into a correct prioritizing of my day. God, I want to know You, not just know about You. Please help me achieve just that over the next year. Thank You Lord, In Jesus’ name. Amen.