We’ve stepped into another new year, but is this one truly going to be any different?

Many of us have things that we want to leave behind in 2024. We hope to get rid of certain fears, tendencies, struggles or bad habits. Some of us might have made New Year resolutions, or perhaps even wrote down the same ones from last year.

But the truth is this: nothing will change in 2025 unless we take active steps to change and grow this year.

Consider Paul’s words when he urges believers to spend their time carefully in Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

How we spend our time – how we spend our days through 2025 – is a reflection of how we spend our lives. So why not take some immediate steps starting from today to change your life this year?

Let’s start by finding out how we’re really living; these three questions will reveal much about our true priorities and where our time should be going this year.

1. How are you spending time with God?

How was your prayer life and time with God last year? How much of the Bible did you read in 2024?

Even if the answer is not great – no condemnation. All of us can take the next step to grow further in our relationship with God, and we can start today.

In 2025, make your time with God a non-negotiable.

Carve out a fixed time slot each day in which you will worship, pray and read the Bible. You can even set a daily alarm or reminder if it helps you.

If you need a little guidance, you can also follow devotions such as Our Daily Bread, or find Bible reading plans on YouVersion. BibleProject also offers various readings and videos on biblical themes, book overviews or word study.

For those of us who want to go deeper in our knowledge of the Word, consider signing up for various courses like the ones at Sower Institute – or take up a module at ACTS College!

If you haven’t done so already, find a church and plant yourself in a cell group. You can also surround yourself with like-minded believers in school. Being engaged in strong spiritual communities would allow you to spur one another on in living out your faith outside of the church.

SYFC ITE Ministry, SYFC Poly Ministry, Praying Schools, Poly Revival, NUS VCF, NTU CF, The Navigators and Cru Campus Ministry… there is definitely something for everyone.

2. How are you spending time on others?

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40)

Throughout the Bible, we are constantly told to let our light shine before others and to serve others in humility.

In this new year, make it a point to spend time serving others – especially the last, the lost and the least in the society.

Find serving opportunities both locally and abroad at places like the Colours Global Foundation, or sign up to be a volunteer at The Salvation Army.

If you hope to bring the Gospel to others through missions, check out Antioch Campus this year. Here you will have the opportunity to learn more about missions and discover God’s calling for your life together with like-minded peers.

It’s time to take the Great Commission seriously because the harvest is indeed plentiful, but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37)!

3. How are you spending time on yourself?

Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself in 2025. The best gift you could offer others is a healthy you. So, make it a point to improve your health physically, mentally and spiritually:

• Physically: Fix your eating, sleeping and exercising habits. For example, you can lock your devices after 12am, or find some pals to sign up for a fitness programme together.
• Mentally: If you have been struggling with some emotional pain or mental distress last year, it’s not too late to seek help. People can help, and things can get better.
• Spiritually: Be mindful of what content you are feeding yourself every day, and avoid doom-scrolling. While there’s definitely time to relax and unwind, don’t forget to also feed your soul.

It might also be helpful to do a regular evaluation and reflection as we introduce these new changes into our lives.

Take stock of your habits, your emotions and your walk with God.

From there, we get to see whether there is a need to adjust our plans, and learn how we can involve others to keep us accountable!

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:42-44)

At the end of the day, we must remember that we are merely stewards of this life and our time on Earth is limited. Don’t just treat 2025 like any other year, thinking that another new year will come.

Be ready and keep watch at all times. Don’t be caught up in distraction – make time and make space for the things of God.

Pick one new habit and start small, but be disciplined with the small. It’s okay if you fail, but try again and don’t give up – knowing that God deserves the best of our days and our whole lives.