%20(28).png)
As I turn 29, I’ll be honest—I don’t have everything figured out. It’s easy to get swept up in the fast pace of life, especially when everything around you seems to be moving so quickly. But in the quiet moments, I’ve realized how much I’ve been subconsciously worrying about things I can’t control. The weight of it all is overwhelming sometimes, and it took me a while to even recognize that I was carrying this burden.
Before I started dating, I thought I had my life all planned out. I had a clear vision of my goals and what I wanted to do. But once I entered a relationship, my world began to open up in unexpected ways. New doors began to appear, bringing opportunities and challenges I hadn’t anticipated. Time management, friendships, family dynamics, finances, health—these were areas I thought I had under control, but suddenly, everything was shifting.
In Singapore, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush—what we call “chionging.” We keep going, trying to accomplish everything, ticking off boxes along the way. But after a while, I had to pause and ask myself: Where am I really going?
The truth? I don’t know every detail. I’m still figuring it out.
As life stage changes, I’m reminded to reflect on deeper questions about my identity and my purpose in this current season:
Who am I in Christ?
What am I truly living for?
What does it mean to be at rest in Christ?
How do I work out my salvation without trying to earn it?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by these thoughts. Yet, in the midst of all this, I’ve learned that it’s okay not to have everything planned out. God calls us to obedience, not to perfection. When we’re obedient, He leads us step by step. This has become a comforting truth for me—God doesn’t expect me to have it all figured out. He just asks me to trust Him and follow His guidance.
One song that has been a reminder of this truth is "There Is a Hope" by Stuart Townend.
The lyrics remind me that, despite struggles and uncertainty, we have a hope that goes beyond this life.
“When sufferings cease and sorrows die… and every longing satisfied… then joy unspeakable will flood my soul, for I am truly home.”
This eternal hope fills me with peace, and it’s this peace that helps me refocus my heart and mind, beyond my worries about 2025 and beyond.
I may not have many resolutions for 2025, but one thing I do desire is to live as one who is hopeful, grounded in Christ. I want my life to be a testimony of His grace and faithfulness, especially as I continue to figure things out in the here and now.
And in reflecting on all of this, I’ve realized a deeper truth—sometimes, I’ve been striving for my salvation instead of living it out. It's easy to fall into the trap of working for something that’s already been given freely to me. There’s a thin line between working out our salvation as a natural outflow of faith and striving to prove ourselves worthy of it. It’s a hard tension, but a necessary one (and heads up - this tension will continue till Christ returns). God doesn’t need me to prove myself; He just asks for my obedience.
In my worries, I’ve sometimes forgotten to be thankful. I’ve yearned for community, a ministry to serve in, a partner to walk through life with—and when those things started falling into place, I found myself still dissatisfied, still focused on what’s next. Instead of whining, I need to shift my mindset to one of gratitude: How can I use these blessings to glorify God?
The reality is, none of these blessings are something I deserve. They are gifts from God, given in His mercy. And rather than focusing on what I don’t have, I want to marvel at what God has already provided and use what I’ve been given to glorify Him.
God has gifted us with community, companions, partners, and family. These relationships are the very spaces in which we are encouraged and strengthened to remain faithful. In 2025, let’s encourage each other to keep going, especially when life feels uncertain. Even when the path ahead isn’t clear, we can rest in the fact that God is guiding us every step of the way.
---
Reflection Questions:
Are you worried about 2025 or the seasons ahead? Sometimes, when our yoke seems heavy, it's because we're trying to carry it all by ourselves. Take a moment to cast your cares on Him, for Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden is light. How can you surrender your worries and trust Him to lead you in the coming year?
What has God gifted you with at this point in your life—whether it's relationships, opportunities, skills, or resources—that you can use to glorify Him? How can you actively use these gifts to honor Him in the here and now?
Are there things you still yearn for—whether it’s community, a partner, or a deeper sense of purpose? How can you pray about these desires, and what practical steps can you take to move forward in faith and trust?
Are you working OUT your salvation—using your life to glorify God as evidence of faith—or are you working FOR your salvation—striving and serving to make yourself seem more worthy of His grace? Take time to be honest with yourself about this. How can you shift from striving to resting in His completed work?
In the midst of your worries, how can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for what God has already provided?
Comments