Small Beginnings for a New Year

As we approach the turning of the calendar, many greet January 1 with skepticism. And understandably so. Some see New Year’s resolutions as a marketing ploy designed to fill the post-Christmas sales gap. Others have been burned by broken promises to themselves, resolutions that faded long before the snow melted. And still more recoil at beginning the year by focusing on what they’re not.

But there’s something sacred about the first day of a new year that can’t be ignored. Writing down “January 1” always brings with it a quiet realization. I’ve been given another year. Another chance. Another step forward in a story far larger than my own.

History isn’t cyclical, after all. It’s moving forward, straight and sure, toward a great conclusion the day when God will dwell with His people, when He will wipe away every tear and make all things new (Revelation 21:1–5). This isn’t just another year. It’s your next step on an eternal timeline, one that leads directly into the presence of the King.

That kind of awareness compels us to live with purpose.

The Big Impact of Small Decisions

The world often applauds the dramatic: big resolutions, sweeping change, major overhauls. But Jesus taught a different way. The kingdom of God, He said, is like a mustard seed tiny, nearly invisible, and yet bursting with the potential to grow into something great (Matthew 13:31–32). Or like yeast, hidden and silent, yet able to leaven an entire batch of dough (Matthew 13:33).

Small decisions can lead to big destinations.

We see this in the ordinary rhythms of life. Hikers know that the trail to the mountaintop doesn’t always start with an incline. Sometimes the path leads down before it ascends. It takes faith to trust those early steps. Likewise, the journey toward purpose and holiness often begins in humility and hiddenness. It is the small, faithful actions repeated over time that build a life of beauty and impact.

Studies show that 92% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions, often because the goals are too lofty and the strategy too vague. But those who focus on small, achievable actions especially when tied to a greater purpose are ten times more likely to see lasting change.

Jesus not only taught this principle He lived it.

How a Cheese Delivery Changed History

Ask someone what David is known for, and they’ll almost certainly mention his defeat of Goliath. But what brought David to that battlefield in the first place?

It wasn’t a vision of victory. It was an errand.

David, still a young shepherd boy, was sent by his father to deliver lunch to his older brothers some grain, bread, and cheese for the commander (1 Samuel 17:17–18). In today’s terms, he was a pizza delivery boy. No fanfare. No trumpets. Just obedience.

But that small act of service positioned David to hear Goliath’s taunts and step into his divine appointment.

What if he had refused? What if he’d said, “I’m not running errands today. I’m waiting for something big”? The giant may have remained undefeated. The story of Israel might have taken a very different turn. Small acts of faithfulness open the door to divine opportunities.

Three Small Steps to Begin the Year

So how do we begin 2025 with wisdom and intentionality? Not by swinging for the fences, but by picking up small habits that will draw us closer to God and others. Here are three simple commitments that can transform your days:

1. Start the day with devotion.
   Before you check your phone, check in with God. Let your first moments be shaped by His word and your heart be aligned with His presence.

2. Look for daily acts of kindness.
   You don’t need a platform to make a difference. Hold a door, write a note, listen well. Small gestures ripple far.

3. Take one day at a time.
   Psalm 113:2–3 reminds us that the Lord is to be praised “from the rising of the sun to its setting.” That’s all we need to focus on: today. Let tomorrow worry about itself (Matthew 6:34).

One devotion, one kindness, one day at a time. That’s where true greatness begins.

The Danger of the Small Things We Ignore

Just as small decisions lead us toward godly purpose, they can also carry us far from it. We often remember David’s great failure his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband. But the tragic spiral didn’t start there.

It began with a small choice: “In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab...” (2 Samuel 11:1). David stayed home. He didn’t fall overnight. He drifted step by small step into a place of temptation and sin.

This isn’t just a Bible story. It’s a warning. And also a comfort. Because if small steps led David to disaster, then small steps can also lead us to avoid it. Proverbs 27:12 tells us, “The prudent sees danger and hides himself.” Tiny course corrections today can prevent massive regret tomorrow.

Even Joseph, after revealing his identity to his brothers in Egypt, left them with one small instruction: “Do not quarrel along the way.” (Genesis 45:24). That may seem trivial after such a dramatic family reunion. But Joseph understood something profound: major betrayals often begin with minor quarrels.

This Year Will Never Come Again

As you hear the words “Happy New Year,” don’t let them pass by unconsidered. You have never been here before. And you never will be again. 2025 is a page in your story that has yet to be written. The ink will be the daily decisions you make, the quiet habits you form, the unseen moments of obedience and love.

So, don’t despise the small things. Embrace them. Begin your year not with sweeping declarations, but with gentle, intentional steps toward the God who guides all of history and holds every one of your days.

And remember small decisions lead to great destinations.

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