New Year, New Me? Or Same Old Mindset?

When God Sees the Glow-Up You’re Still Ignoring

Beloved Friend,

Ah, the season of resolutions and promises is here again. You know, that time when everyone is declaring “New Year, New Me” like it’s a chant that will magically transform everything by January 1st. But what if the new year doesn’t require a new you? What if God is working on something so subtle yet profound in your life, and you’ve been too distracted to notice?

I had a moment recently, a conversation with a colleague that led me to reflect deeply. Isn’t it funny how sometimes, people see things about us that we haven’t even noticed ourselves? She casually pointed out something about me that I hadn’t even noticed myself, and it led to an eye-opening lesson from the Lord. It was one of those “aha” moments where I realized that even subtle changes can have a profound impact on how we see ourselves and our journey. And as the conversation lingered in my mind, the Lord began teaching me a powerful lesson tied to Isaiah 43:19:

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?”

This scripture became alive to me in a new way. God has already begun the “new thing” He promised in some of our lives, but like me with my pants-shopping escapade, we might be stuck in an old mindset, unable to recognize or embrace it.

Let me explain. I was quite skinny for the longest time; so skinny that my family doctor flagged it as underweight. Then, during my final year in school, I began to gain the kind of weight I had always desired. But guess what? My mind was still stuck in the “skinny me” phase. I would buy clothes thinking I was still the same size, only to find out they didn’t fit.

It reminded me of a time when I went shopping earlier this year. The vendor kept bringing out larger pants, saying I’d only need to adjust the waist. I was skeptical and thought, “Oga, do you even see my size?” But when I got home and tried them on, they fit perfectly except for the waist. It turned out I hadn’t been paying attention to certain changes and was still making choices based on an outdated version of myself.

Does that sound familiar? Have you been stuck seeing yourself in an old light, unaware of the growth God has worked in you?

My line manager often trusts me with tasks I feel unqualified for, saying that he knows I’ll do a great job, and my spiritual father regularly speaks about giftings I still hesitate to own. Even when God points out areas of growth or calls me to new things, I often respond with, “Really God, me?”.

Doesn’t this happen to us spiritually too? God begins a work in us, shapes us, grows us in ways we don’t even notice, and yet we struggle to see it. Sometimes, others see glimpses of what God is doing before we do. They may point it out, but because we haven’t fully come into that awareness, we downplay it or deny it altogether.

Here’s the thing about Isaiah 43:19: God says, “Shall ye not know it?” Sometimes, the “new thing” God is doing doesn’t come with fireworks or grand announcements. It could be subtle; a new mindset, a gradual healing, a quiet shift in your circumstances, but it’s happening.

For some, the “new thing” might already have started, but we’re too busy looking at the past or doubting ourselves to recognize it. Could it be that your consistent prayers and your time with God have been producing something beautiful in you? Maybe it’s a strength, a wisdom, or a discipline you didn’t even know was forming.

Jesus said in Luke 1:45, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” Without belief, there can’t be a performance. Belief is crucial. Without it, there is no performance. This is why when God speaks a prophetic word, He expects us to run with it in prayers. Prayer doesn’t make it more real; it makes us more aligned and ready to receive. It’s not enough to hear or receive a word from God; you have to believe it, run with it in prayer, and align yourself with His promise.

So, let me ask you:

What growth are you experiencing that you haven’t even recognized?

What have others seen in you that you’ve been slow to acknowledge?

Where is God calling you to step out in faith and let go of the old?

The new year isn’t about empty resolutions or overambitious goals. It’s about realigning with what God is doing and where He’s taking you. Let go of past failures, insecurities, or even past seasons of comfort. God can’t fill hands that are already full.

Pay attention to God’s whispers. The “new thing” might not be loud, but it will be purposeful. Take stock of what God has already done. Gratitude opens your eyes to see His faithfulness and trust Him for more. Don’t step into 2025 with 2024 thinking.

Think about Peter walking on water. The moment he shifted his focus to the wind and waves, he began to sink. God is calling you to keep your eyes on Him as you step into the unknown of a new year. Yes, challenges will come, but His strength is made perfect in your weakness.

And like the story of Hannah, who persisted in prayer despite years of delay, God is faithful to those who trust Him. Sometimes the reward is immediate; other times, it’s the satisfaction of knowing we walked with God and pleased Him. Either way, His plans for you are good.

Beloved, this is a call to self-awareness and spiritual sensitivity. Stop doubting what God has placed in you. Be bold enough to embrace it. Let the new year find you aligned with His will, prepared for the blessings He has in store, and content with His timing.

And here’s my charge: if this resonates with you, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with friends, family, or anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re truly growing or if God is still working in their lives. Let’s go into the new year watchful, prepared, and ready to walk in the new things God is doing.

With thoughts of kindness,

ABBA’s Shofar