Do Resolutions Work?

New Year’s Resolution: Live for an Audience of One

As we enter 2025, I’m reminded of where my focus should truly lie. Colossians 1:10 and Paul’s words resonate deeply:

“Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No! God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please men? If I wanted to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Here’s the truth: what I hate about resolutions is how surface-level they often are. They’re usually about external change, motivated from the outside in—and that never lasts. We set goals to lose weight, save money, or learn a new skill, but these resolutions often fizzle out because they fail to address what’s happening in our hearts.

This year, instead of making another New Year’s resolution, why not focus on one key priority that aligns your life with your purpose? One phrase or truth that becomes a guiding reminder of why you’re here on this earth.

So much of our time is wasted chasing goals that, while good, can cause us to miss what’s most important. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 6:

“Surely life is more important than food, and the body more important than the clothes you wear. Look at the birds in the sky. They never sow nor reap nor store away in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”

I’ve never met a bird that sets a goal, yet they accomplish exactly what they were designed to do. Birds don’t worry or overthink. They live freely, trusting in their Creator’s provision.

What if 2025 looked more like that for us? A year not driven by anxiety, pressure, or outside validation, but by trust in God’s plan. A year where we live for an audience of One, seeking to please God above all else.

Here’s the beautiful part: when we focus on pleasing God, everything else falls into place. Many of the goals we set for ourselves—health, relationships, finances—end up being accomplished by default. They become the fruits of our obedience and alignment with God’s will.

So, my challenge for you is this: Choose one key focus for this year—one truth that prioritizes your life around what matters most. For me, it’s this: live for the pleasure of God and trust in the finished work of Christ.

What will yours be? Let’s make 2025 a year of freedom, purpose, and faith. When we live for God, we experience the joy and peace of becoming exactly who we were designed to be.