31/12/2024
BEFORE YOU START 2025,
TAKE TIME TO EVALUATE
YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Serious self-examination is good for the soul. Ask yourself these 10 questions.
By J. Lee Grady
When God created the heavens, the earth, the oceans, the plants and the animals, He took time to assess His creation—and according to Genesis 1, He “saw that it was good” (v. 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). When He finished the job, He took a day to rest—and set in motion a rhythm of rest for all of us. God didn’t need a break; He was teaching us the importance of rest and quiet trust.
This principle of sabbath has affected the way I start a new year. When one year ends, I always take time to celebrate the highlights by looking at photos, savoring memories and writing down my best moments. I also mourn my losses. And I carefully consider how I can grow spiritually in the coming year.
We all need to take a deep breath before racing into a new year. This has become a spiritual discipline for me. I relish the memories, smell the flowers I saw on my journey and thank God for the victories. It’s my way of saying, “It is good,” before I rush into my next assignment.
Serious self-examination is good for the soul. Psalm 119:59 says: “I consider my ways, and I turn my feet to Your testimonies.” Lamentations 3:40 adds: “Let us search and try our ways, and return to the Lord!” As you begin 2025, I urge you to set aside some time to ask yourself these ten questions:
“What were my highlights in 2024?” It’s important to celebrate your victories and mountaintop moments. Psalm 103:2 says, “… Forget none of His benefits.” I love to write down my best memories of the year and thank God for each one.
“What did I learn in the past year?” The Holy Spirit has been working in your life, perhaps in ways you didn’t notice. Take time to record what you learned from God’s Word, from sermons, from mentors, at your job and even from your mistakes.
“If I could do 2024 over, what would I do differently?” Be honest. What mistakes did y
