2025
We are 5 days into 2025.
The new year is always an interesting time.
Transition.
We go from 4-6 weeks of holiday craze (Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, wrapping gifts, marking off the “to do’s”, prioritizing which parties to say yes to and which to say no to because your time is limited) and then BAM, we’re suddenly in a new year.
We stay up till midnight and usher in the new year.
Sleep in on January 1 if your life circumstances allow you to.
And then hit the ground running!!!
Expectation.
Planning.
Hustle.
Goals.
Goals.
Goals.
And more goals.
So much expectation.
So much pressure.
Social media has just increased the craze.
But then I remember…
He changes the times and the seasons… Daniel 2:21
And then I remember…
Emmanuel.
God with us.
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
We have this special time set apart during Christmas to remind us of the importance of Jesus coming as human flesh to save us, family, friends, memories, a season to slow down and remember what life is all about….
And then BAM, back to the hustle?
It’s not right.
And then I come back to Daniel 2:21.
He changes times and seasons.
Perspective shift.
This is a lifeline verse to me during any transition period.
I like it because it reminds me HE is the one who changes times and seasons.
It releases the control and overwhelm of it all.
It reminds me He’s in charge.
He’s good and will give me the desires of my heart. Psalm 37:4
My part is to keep moving in the direction He guides me.
And like it or not, we’re all being guided into 2025.
The beginning of a new year is always exciting.
And daunting.
And…. *list of several other emotions as you stare at an empty wall thinking of all the unknowns the year will bring.*
A lot of people have a word for their year.
Do you?
Words for the year are funny.
Sometimes people make too much of them.
Sometimes people make too little of them.
When I say people make too much of them, I mean, we tend to get too caught up in the word itself and forget HIS times and seasons might last shorter or longer than 365 days.
A few years ago I asked God for a new word at the beginning of each month.
I honestly loved doing it this way.
I like to look at words for the year (or month) as guard rails for my heart.
I like to ask the Holy Spirit “what are you saying to me about my year and/or my month?”
Then I listen…
John 10:27 reminds us God speaks, and we hear Him.
And just like a baby learns the sound of its mom and dad’s voice, we need to learn to hear the Fathers voice.
Banner words over times and seasons, months or years, is a good way to flex our God listening skills.
I started thinking about “words” for the year and started questioning how biblically accurate they were, but then I remembered “He changes times and seasons…” Daniel 2:21.
My anchor verse in transition.
And then I remembered Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Words are just putting names to those times and those seasons.
Scripture literally does this.
“a time to plant and a time to uproot…” Ecc 3:2
So with this context, scripture tells us there are named seasons, a time to PLANT and UPROOT.
So, maybe your word could be PLANT.
I encourage you to ask God what He’s speaking over you and then find a verse to go along with the word.
A friend of mine told me her word for the year was others.
I thought this word was so beautiful, it reminded me of so many scriptures in the bible.
Luke 6:31 Treat others as you would want them to treat you.
Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
My word for the year is pursuit. I have a few verses with this word He gave me, but here is one of my favorites. “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Proverbs 21:31
My word for last year was Dependence.
And I’m taking what I learned in 2024 with me into 2025.
What’s your word for the year?
Having words for your year (times and seasons) is biblical.
Don’t rush the process, ask God for the word and then ask Him to confirm it within the next few weeks.
Watch for themes and reoccurring signs or conversations.
It’s ok if you don’t have a word for 2025 yet.
Let God whisper something special to your heart.
And don’t forget…
Don’t forget to go into this season remembering what you learned in 2024.
Don’t rush into this season.
Transition well.
Remember.
We want to go from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
We don’t go from glory, back 5 steps, 3 steps to the side, and hopscotch forward 2 steps into glory again.
We want to keep moving forward and take what we learned from past times and seasons into the NEW season.
So, as you move into 2025…
Don’t forget what you learned in Thanksgiving 2024, take it with you into Jan. 2025.
Don’t forget the peaceful pace of Christmas and the purpose of Christ coming to save you and the revelations of Jesus and His love you received this Christmas.
Remember.
“He changes times and seasons…”
Each season we’re planting and watering the garden of our life.
And it’s God who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:7
And it’s God who changes the seasons. Daniel 2:21
Take responsibility within this year.
And watch Him grow you.
Let these verses bring a “selah” moment during transition.
Don’t hustle from 2024 into 2025.
Just keep growing into 2025.
Goodbye, 2024.
Hello, 2025.
Get your hopes up because God is the one who changes the times and the seasons.
What’s your word for 2025?
Selah.
