As we stand at the crossroads of a new year, we are once again confronted with choices that shape the very fabric of our lives. 2025 beckons us to choose: faith or fear, happiness or sadness, freedom or slavery, death or resurrection, damnation or redemption. These are not abstract concepts but the daily decisions that define our humanity. Without the divine to guide us, it is all too easy to veer down the evil path, choosing religion over relationship and losing sight of the transformative power of grace.
The Crossroads of Faith and Fear
In Matthew 14:29-31, Peter steps out of the boat and walks on water toward Jesus. But as fear grips him, he begins to sink. Faith is the hand that pulls us out of the waves, while fear drags us under. This year, let us choose faith—to trust in God’s promises even when the storms rage around us. As 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
The Crossroads of Happiness and Sadness
Life is filled with sorrow, but even in our darkest moments, joy is a choice we can make. In John 16:22, Jesus says, “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” This joy is not a fleeting emotion but a deep-rooted assurance in God’s goodness. Let 2025 be the year we choose happiness, not by denying life’s hardships, but by finding hope in the eternal promises of God.
The Crossroads of Freedom and Slavery
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). Yet, how often do we return to the chains of sin, fear, or legalism? Freedom in Christ is not merely the absence of bondage but the presence of purpose. As we enter this new year, let us embrace the freedom to live as children of God, rejecting the slavery of worldly expectations and choosing instead the liberating power of His grace.
The Crossroads of Death and Resurrection
The ultimate choice we face is between death and resurrection. Romans 6:4 declares, “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” This is not just a future hope but a present reality. In 2025, let us die to the old self and rise anew, walking in the light of His resurrection power.
The Crossroads of Damnation and Redemption
The greatest gift of all is redemption, offered freely through Christ’s sacrifice. Yet, it is a gift we must choose to accept. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Redemption is the path of grace, a relationship with God that transforms every aspect of our lives. Let this be the year we fully surrender to His redeeming love.
Religion or Relationship
Too often, we confuse religion with relationship. Religion binds us to rules; relationship frees us to love. Jesus challenged the Pharisees for their legalism, urging them instead to seek the heart of God (Matthew 23:23). In 2025, let us reject the lifeless rituals of religion and embrace the vibrant, life-giving relationship with our Savior. This is the path of true transformation.
A Call to Choose Life
Deuteronomy 30:19 calls us to a profound decision: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” The choices we make in 2025 will not only shape our lives but the legacy we leave for generations to come.
Moving Forward
As the clock strikes midnight and 2025 begins, let us take a moment to reflect. What path will you choose this year? Will you choose faith, joy, freedom, resurrection, redemption, and relationship? Or will you let fear, sadness, slavery, death, and damnation dictate your journey?
This year, let us resolve to come alive and thrive, to walk boldly in the light of God’s love and purpose. The road ahead may not be easy, but with Christ as our guide, it will be filled with meaning, hope, and abundant life.
Reflection Questions:
- What choices do you need to make as you enter 2025?
- How can you strengthen your relationship with God this year?
- What steps will you take to embrace the freedom and joy found in Christ?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Together, let’s make 2025 the year we truly come alive and thrive.
Charlie Wear's Notes 
Leave a comment