The arrival of a new year often invites the possibility of a clean slate. Many of us seize the moment to set ambitious goals, crafting visions of who we want to be by next January—perhaps thinner, smarter, more disciplined, and with more friends, too! While this enthusiasm is inspiring, it can sometimes lead us astray. As we think about New Year’s resolutions for 2025, can you relate to one of the following archetypes?

New Goals for the New Year

The Overachievers

Our culture often whispers, “You’re not doing enough.” In response, some of us will set wildly ambitious goals for 2025: running daily, cutting out sugar, sleeping earlier, ditching social media, and more—all at once. While the desire for improvement is admirable, I suppose, the sheer volume of these resolutions simply sets us up for failure. Even with a smart plan, if  we fail with one habit, it’s pretty easy to throw in the towel and declare the whole thing “hopeless!” 

The Disillusioned

Perhaps you fall into the trap of expecting your goals to deliver ultimate fulfillment – the kind of lasting peace and deep happiness we’re all longing for. If only we lose those last five pounds, you think, life will be perfect. But here’s the thing: Even as we chase health or productivity, our efforts often fall far short of what we’re really longing for and we have to learn (yet again) the painful lesson that placing our ultimate hope in self-improvement alone just leaves us disappointed.

What’s the Christian to do?

For Christians, the solution lies in aligning our goals with God’s purposes. Yes, He calls us to care about the here and now. But not at the expense of an eternal perspective. With that in mind, here are five principles to guide you in setting your resolutions this year.

Five Principles for Christians Setting Goals for 2025

1. Remember: Faith Is Not a Scorecard

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” —Ephesians 2:8-9

Spiritual goals—like reading the Bible daily or attending church more often—are valuable. But God’s love is not measured by the length of our prayers,the frequency of our devotions, or how smart our plan is. Instead of chasing “Christian credentials,” aim for practices that nurture your relationship with God, allowing room for creativity and grace along the way.

2. Practice Grace Toward Yourself

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” —Romans 3:23-24

We won’t meet every goal we set. And that’s okay. God’s grace extends to our shortcomings—shouldn’t we extend it to ourselves as well? This year, when resolutions falter, choose compassion over criticism.

3. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” —Matthew 5:37

Overcommitting often leads to frustration and exhaustion. Instead of saying yes to everything, focus on doing fewer things well. Let your commitments reflect both your limits and your trust in God to fill the gaps.

4. Embrace Generosity

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” —Mark 12:30-31

Many resolutions center on self-improvement, yet lasting satisfaction often comes from pouring out rather than accumulating. This year, consider how your goals can bless others—whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, or showing hospitality to someone in need.

5. Dig Deeper

“If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.” —Romans 11:16

Surface-level goals, like getting a promotion or improving your appearance, often reflect deeper desires. Ask yourself: What is at the root of these ambitions? Perhaps therapy, intentional rest, or community might address your deeper needs better than a new fitness routine.

A final thought

As Christians, our goals for the new year should reflect our true longing – to draw closer to God and to serve others. This New Year, let’s focus on goals that free us from the pressure to perform and, instead, help us align ourselves with God’s will. Instead of striving for perfection, aim for a new year marked by grace, purpose, and love. It is, after all, better than any gym membership…