This article first appeared on at C-Suite for Christ on 1/14/25

Every year there is a lot of attention and pressure in creating new goals and improving and in many cases reinventing ourselves. I cannot count the number of times I’ve heard the phrase new year new year. But I would like to pose this for thought, what does a new you really mean?

The Bible says that being in Christ means being a new creation with the old passing away and new things coming. Consider the following verses:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away behold all things have become new.” 2nd Corinthians 5:17

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20

If you have already accepted Jesus into your life, you are already made new. What comes next is simply redemption of brokenness. A constant refining process as we become who God created us to be, drawing closer to the Savior, we desire to be more like him. While many of our goals are professional in nature or rooted in well-being, I challenge you to bring them back to the foundation of our anointing, our calling, our purpose and who we are in the Lord.

What is required of us is not reinvention, and by all accounts that’s good news!

When we think about our well-being goals through the lens of how Christ sees us and what the Bible says about being a part of the body of Christ, we can start to reframe the why behind wellness and our goals. If we stop beating ourselves up about what we do wrong, what we need to do better, and how deficient we are, and remember how we were created with purpose, uniquely and beautifully, and that every painful experience, every lack we feel we have, every failure, can be used by God for glory and testimony, we realize that we truly are simply clay for the Father’s molding.

We don’t have to become NEW. That has already been accomplished through Christ’s sacrifice and redemption. We simply need to intentionally practice being good stewards of all that God has blessed us with: our body, our finances, our freedom- the opportunity we have in faith, in commerce, in the ability to be a voice and a changemaker.

In the New Year, don’t commit to a new you. Commit to a more intentional and aware version of the beautiful person inside and out you already are.

Be intentional and aware about what we put in our bodies: the food we eat, the things we watch and listen to, even what chemicals we have in our environment. Treat your body like the temple it is.

Be intentional and aware about what we do: ensure we practice self-care, move our bodies, and take actions that bridge gaps that keep us from meeting our goals.

Be intentional and aware with our time: time is our one non-renewable resource that costs us the most. Take control of the minutes: plan them well and hold yourself accountable. Schedule time for rest and joy.

Be intentional and aware with our resources: start by identifying needless waste and then work towards simple tactics that make you fully aware of where each of your resources/dollars go and if the value for that spend is justifiable through the lens of your goals.

Be intentional and aware of relationships: with yourself, with the Lord, and with others (professional and personal). Relationships have a significant impact on our well-being. When we don’t foster positive behaviors: love, respect, compassion, understanding, patience, and awareness of needs with ourselves and with others, it can significantly impact our well-being and often that of others.

In 2025, I challenge you to make your goals about the outcome that results from intentionality in our daily habits and behaviors and not about how YOU measure up. Remember who you are in Christ and who we were created to be. Keep Him at the center of your why and make your time and relationship with Him as a top priority.

With that, 2025 will surely lead to personal growth and Spiritual harvest.