The New Year is here. It’s Thursday, January 2, 2025—just days after celebrations and resolutions were made to start fresh. Did you make a New Year’s Resolution?
If you did, you’re not alone. Many people create resolutions this time of year—but here’s a sobering truth: statistically, 25% of people give up on their resolutions within the first week, and only 8% will succeed by the end of the year.
That’s a sad statistic. Only 8% of people keep the commitments they make. Let me ask you a deeper question:What if only 8% of people who made a commitment to God actually kept it? Would you be in that 8%?
While I don’t know the exact percentage of people who will successfully enter the kingdom of God, Jesus said something worth reflecting on:
“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24).
Isn’t that a sobering thought? Many will try to enter the kingdom of God, but few will succeed. Hopefully, each of us will be among the few. But that’s not going to happen by accident. It requires effort, planning, and a daily commitment.
Do You Have a Plan?
If you’ve set a New Year’s resolution, ask yourself this:
Do you know what you are going to do every day to move closer to your goal?
Do you have a strategy for when it gets difficult or when you feel like giving up?
The reality is this:
The 25% who give up quickly often don’t have a plan. They start with enthusiasm but don’t know where to begin, so they give up.
The people who fail to finish strong lose sight of their goal. They forget what they are working toward and don’t make it a daily priority.
This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well:
Do you have a plan for your walk with God?
Do you know how to stay focused when challenges arise?
Are you reminding yourself daily of the ultimate goal?
Succeeding in any goal—especially our walk with God—requires deliberate effort. It takes conscious decisions to stay on the narrow path Jesus spoke about.
Stay Focused on the Goal
Jesus made it clear that few will enter the kingdom of God. That’s why it’s essential to always know where we are heading and to make a plan to stay on course. The path is narrow, and if we aren’t careful, it’s easy to drift away.
The Apostle Paul gives us a perfect example of the mindset we need. He wrote in Philippians 3:14:
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul pressed on daily. He reminded himself of his goal and kept his eyes on the prize. Every decision he made and every step he took was directed toward that eternal goal. We need to adopt the same attitude. Press on toward the goal.
Make a Resolution That Lasts
As you step into this New Year, don’t let your commitment to God fade like so many resolutions do. If you need to make a change—if you need to commit or recommit your life to Him—don’t wait. This isn’t just about a resolution for 2025; it’s about living for God every day for the rest of your life.
Let’s strive together to be among the few who keep the most important commitment of all: living for God. What steps will you take today to press on toward the goal? Let’s make 2025 a year of deliberate growth, focus, and faith.
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