A new year: Setting Priorities and Trusting the Same Faithful God

Counting down to a new year makes us feel like writing a new set of numbers at the end of the date will magically bring changes and happiness. As I find myself looking back at this past year and forward to the one about to begin, I come to a profound conclusion: the most important truth is that I will live this new year facing the same faithful God.

This realization changes everything about how we should approach our new year goals, resolutions, and expectations.

Expectation of the new year

When facing new seasons in our lives, we can’t stop the rise of intense emotions. Those emotions might look like excitement, motivation, uncertainty, fear, or doubts. We all, one way or another, have expectations of what should happen or what we wish will happen in the new season. The simple act of changing the calendar date makes us desire fresh starts and new opportunities even more intensely.

After these past few years, with so many unprecedented changes in society affecting all of us, I find myself equally expectant about what will happen in this new year. While I am busy with all my tasks to close out the year —which include updating my planner, planning the new semester for our family’s homeschool, and setting my personal and family goals. I have had to stop and reflect on an eternal truth that puts everything in perspective.

The truth is this: while dates change, God doesn’t. And that should fundamentally shape how we approach every new year.

Understanding True Priorities in the New Year

It is common to read or hear that our lives will change in direct proportion to our priorities. This makes sense because that which is a priority for you, will get your attention and quality time. I’ve understood this principle for a long time, but I have always been puzzled by the fact that we don’t always actually prioritize what’s most important.

How many times have you written “God first” at the top of your priority list, only to realize weeks later that your schedule doesn’t reflect that commitment? Often times we create a beautiful list of priorities, but then we actually devote our time to completely different things.

Meditating on this common struggle, I have come to a conclusion: biblical priorities don’t actually change from year to year. What needs to change is our consistent focus on living out what we already know matters most.

The Problem with Annual Priority Lists

What do I mean by this? I mean that there is no need to make a brand-new list every single year, a list to remind ourselves that God is in first place, then our family, etc. What I actually need is to make a daily decision and live in a way that makes these priorities a lived reality, not just written goals.

I can set plenty of ambitious things for this new year, create multiple goals, and make detailed plans to achieve them. I do love making plans and fresh starts, but there is a truth that never changes: no matter how I choose to spend my time, this biblical principle is the unchanging guide for our entire life.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 

and all these things will be added to you.

Mathew 6:33

This verse isn’t just a nice new year reminder—it’s the foundation for how we should approach every day, every decision, and every goal we set.

New Year Resolutions vs. Kingdom Priorities

Instead of creating another list of self-improvement goals, what if we approached this new year differently? What if we asked: “How can I seek God’s kingdom first in every area of my life this year?”

This doesn’t mean abandoning practical goals like health, finances, or personal growth. Instead, it means filtering every goal through the lens of kingdom priorities:

• Health goals become about stewarding the body God gave you to serve Him
• Financial goals focus on generous giving and wise stewardship rather than just accumulation
• Relationship goals center on loving others as Christ loved us
• Career goals align with using your gifts to glorify God and serve others

When we seek first His kingdom, everything else finds its proper place and purpose.

The Same Faithful God in Every New Year

There are only hours left until the new year arrives. My planner is filled with goals and plans that genuinely excite me. But as I look at them and remember that my upcoming year will be lived under the authority of the same God who carried me through the past year, I have to ask myself a crucial question: Will I seek Him first? Will I fix my eyes on Him, regardless of the trials or blessings this new year brings?

My answer is yes, and here’s why: when I look back over the years, I see the same unchanging God.

I see the God who is seated on his throne (Psalm 9:7)—never dethroned by global pandemics, political upheaval, or personal crises. I see the One in whom there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11)—joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances. I see the One worthy of all my praise (Psalm 61:8)—whether the year brings celebration or sorrow. I see the same merciful and good God (Psalm 106:1)—whose character never shifts with changing seasons.

Looking ahead to the new year about to begin, without detailed knowledge of what challenges or blessings await, I can confidently declare: “I’m not afraid of bad news; my heart is firm, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7). I have no idea what specific events are coming, but there is one thing I know with absolute certainty: the same God who has held me securely until today will hold me fast tomorrow and every day this new year.

The same God who is worthy of all my efforts, love, and passion remains seated on His throne—unchanging, faithful, and sovereign over every day of the coming year.

Living This New Year with an Eternal Perspective

As we step into this new year, I want to challenge both of us: Let’s live these next 365 days facing the same God who has already saved us and proven His faithfulness countless times. Let’s walk through this year continuously acknowledging that He is always in first place—not just in our written priority lists, but in our actual daily choices.

Let it be our genuine delight to plan our lives, set our goals, and make our decisions around His kingdom and righteousness.