By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

As 2024 comes to an end, you’re probably planning your resolutions for 2025. What dreams or goals are you setting for the new year? Let me know in the comments below!

January 1 is a great time to start repairing the broken relationships in our lives, including our relationship with the Lord. Jesus understands that sometimes we stray. We don’t spend time with Him like we should, or we don’t prioritize His place in our lives. It’s not the end of the world! Moving into a new year is the perfect chance to reorient ourselves and put Jesus first again.

What that looks like will be different for everyone. Our personal relationships with Christ are unique to each of us. We aren’t all on the same paths or in the same places. It’s important that we offer grace to one another, offer assistance to those who ask for it, and embrace the lost sheep as they return to the fold.

Getting your relationship with Jesus back on track is not as daunting as it sounds. Small steps are better than no steps. Any time you can spend with Christ is precious. Do not despair! Jesus treasures every moment with you.

Little Moments Lead to Big Results

As we grow, we enter into different seasons of life that dictate how we use our time and energy. We have finite resources in each season. Sometimes, we exhaust these resources on everything else on our to-do lists, ending up with nothing left to apply towards our faith. Friend, give yourself grace when that happens. God knows exactly how busy you are. God waits patiently for us to return to Him: “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13 KJV).

You don’t need to carve out enormous amounts of time in your schedule to spend with God. Little moments here and there are just as meaningful. When you’re driving, listen to scripture on a podcast or audiobook, or sing along to worship music in the car. Driving is also a great time to pray and talk to God (please keep your eyes open though).

Throughout Advent, I read a devotion each night. It was a few lines of scripture and a couple paragraphs of commentary. It took maybe five minutes before bed. A devotional is another great way to connect with Jesus in those little moments of time.

Instead of reading the Bible in a year, write a verse or two of scripture on an index card or sticky note. Tape the card or note to your bathroom mirror so you will see it every time you wash your hands and brush your teeth. You can even write the same verse on multiple cards and put them on your refrigerator or your car visor. Put them in the places you frequent throughout the day so you will be constantly surrounded by scripture. Change the verse every week.

New Year, Same God

While we are constantly growing and evolving, God never changes. He is the same as He was and always will be. His love for us will never diminish. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. There is no way to change that. Isn’t that wonderful?

God’s love is infinite, and so is His desire to be in relationship with us. As the Bible says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:8 KJV). Move closer to God, in any way you can, and God will be there waiting.

Trust in the unchanging nature of God. Let Him be the foundation upon which you build your life. Seek stability in Jesus. Read stories about our Biblical ancestors and how their lives changed when they entered into relationship with God. Be inspired by stories about modern Christians who turned to Jesus. The same God who spoke to Abraham is moving in our midst today.

Happy New Year

A relationship with the Lord will change your life. That sounds exactly like a New Year’s resolution, doesn’t it? We create goals to improve our physical health, mental health, and financial health. We strive to eat better, exercise more, and spend less because we believe these actions will have positive effects on our lives. And they can, absolutely they can. But they will never hold a candle to the change you’ll experience when you let Christ into your life.

Jesus desires a relationship with you. It’s never too late to turn towards Him and put in the effort. It is possible to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus even when you don’t have a lot of time to spare. Don’t talk yourself out of making this your New Year’s resolution simply because you don’t believe you have the time or because you think you’ll fail or let God down. You won’t. Time with Jesus is never a failure.

Happy New Year, friends, and God be with you in 2025.