2025. A new year, a new start. Our physical beings entered a new year that accompanied new classes, events, and relationships. We can all admit that when a new year arrives, we are all filled with renewed hope. We reiterate our goals – even if short-lived; everyone approaches one another with the idea that they’re attempting to grow in some area of their life. For many, even myself, New Year’s feels like a new start – a way to physically leave the past behind and pursue change. Isaiah 43:18 -19 (NIV): “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
My perception of the 365 days in a year has altered since surrendering my life to Jesus. Before, my years felt either too slow or too fast. They were filled with fear of the unknown and unfulfilled passions. There was a lingering lack of contentment in my mornings. Without understanding that every day was a blessing to embrace, I wasn’t being a willing vessel for my spiritual potential. Physically, I was moving into a new year. Mentally, I was stagnant in the one before. Allowing 365 days of unresolved pain and unrecognized purpose to shape my spirit became the determinant of years to come. I look back and feel like I wasted my years. I was not working towards my passions, learning more, or experiencing life. I am now able (although I can humble myself enough to realize I will never fully understand) the true glory of the blood Jesus shed on the cross – its ability to save and heal. It was when He met me where I was at – showed me the truth that I could truly start living my 365 days and be saved from the ones before – Jesus made up for lost time. His blood makes us new every day and each morning; as believers, we do not have to wait until a new year; we are renewed every morning. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
2025. An intentional life equates to intentional years. We are still early in the year. It is not too late to set yearly goals. This isn’t a New Year’s resolution; it is a thought-out goal (or goals) to set the foundation towards your overall purpose. Stop thinking years ahead – take a few hours to just focus on this one.
Dreams are different from purpose. There are dream homes, dream romances, and dream jobs. I notice that when you ask people about their dream job or passion, it is frequently different from their current occupation. Because deep down, that is all we know dreams to be – just a hypothetical fantasy scenario. It is an exciting idea with little faith or strength to it. Purpose is vastly different. Purpose is within all of us. Purpose is not a surface-level fantasy; it was knitted into our inner being – it is who we are. When we recognize with faith that we have a given purpose, God steps in. He will place the trust in our heart to pursue it, but we have to be willing to ask and open to receive that trust and the character development needed for the journey.
Purpose is a desire established by faith. Not faith that derives from self-confidence or peer validation – a faith grounded on an identity rooted in Christ. Whereas a dream may be curated from materialistic trends or fleshly desires – maybe a self-created fantasy used to compensate for a quality we lack in life. Purpose is who we were always meant to be. Even if who we feel we were always meant to be contradicts the world we are in, why follow the world when you can follow your calling?
To be transparent, you need an immeasurable amount of faith to pursue your purpose. There’s no formal way to say it other than go big or go home. God gave you a reason to wake up in the morning – He provided your life with a meaning that can bring glory to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. You have the strength within you to go all in on something even greater than you ever believed you could do. It will be difficult at times. Your faith will need to be the foundation for any future pursuits. Build your intimacy with Christ and go all in.
I started very young with many dreams. From photographing lions in Africa to being a writer in New York City, I wanted to do it all. Then one day, my greatest want became the Lord. I no longer had dreams – I had purpose.
To build my purpose, I recognized that I must build my character. For me, that meant I had a lot more living to do. The most minuscule activities that I’ve always wanted to do, I realized I have never done. I created a list of activities that I wanted to accomplish this year (and will). Then, I created a list of short-term goals I wanted to accomplish this year to contribute to my long-term goals. Then, I created a list of spiritual goals I wanted to grow in this year. A good idea is to buy a separate journal for 2025 – note your journey with God this year and the steps you have taken towards your purpose.
Living builds character, and good character pursues meaningful purpose. So, work so incredibly hard towards your goals, but don’t forget that sometimes you just need to live. Chat with strangers, learn as much as you can, and go on random hikes. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NIV): “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” Maybe that is a goal you need more of this year. Maybe it is the opposite, and you need to pray towards discipline.
So far, I have accomplished 40% of my goals and activities and am excited to pursue the rest!
Give your year purpose. Write out your purpose and intentions for the year, then do it. Habakkuk 2:2-4 (ESV)“ Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.“
I hope my journey to living intentionally can inspire your own journey. Let the Lord teach you how to live!
Live with purpose,
Laila