Dear Editor,

We have made it into 2025! To God be the glory!

As we start a new Roman calendar year, it is befitting to reflect on the past year and express gratitude for the experiences had. Most importantly, we reminisce on the goodness and faithfulness of our Sovereign Lord, who has brought us to this point. Like the prophet Samuel, we raise our symbolic stone (Ebenezer) and declare, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12).

When we think about the victories won, the obstacles overcome, the depression fought, the sicknesses endured, and the miracles seen, many of us are still in awe that we are still standing. But just look what the Lord has done!

We celebrate the weddings, anniversaries, promotions, profits, vehicle and home ownerships, graduations, book launches, travels, and investments. However, as our wins are not only materialistic, we also want to highlight the resilience, grit, maturity, mental fortitude, discipline, and sacrifices that many of us had to demonstrate in 2024.

Still, we are cognisant that 2024 was a rough, tumultuous sea for many others. Some experienced material losses, some lost loved ones, while others suffered severe panic attacks, and anxiety issues.

But whether we experienced significant gains or losses in 2024, we have made it to 2025, which means that we still have a purpose to fulfil and God is not through with us yet. As long as Jesus is the captain of our ship, we will navigate the high and low seas of 2025. After all, “With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.”

To keep standing in 2025, we must walk in God’s will. As stated in 1 John 5:14-15, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Contrary to the often-passive view of many Christians, God actually wants us to understand His will. However, to understand the heart of Christ, we must spend time at His feet — through praying, reading His word, and fasting.

We are at the start of a quarter of the century. Many interesting and frightening things will happen in politics, international affairs, and information and communication technologies. But as these things unfold, we — especially those of us who are looking forward to the return of Jesus — must anchor ourselves even deeper under His wings.

May 2025 be a year of amplified blessings and prosperity for you and your families!

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com