As the Calendar Turns: 10 Questions Every Christian Should Ask

Author and professor Donald S. Whitney relates a story of one of the early explorers to the North Pole. To ensure that he stayed on course, he charted his journey through the white wasteland hourly.

At one point, while checking his instruments, he discovered that he was farther south than he had been the previous hour, even though he was walking north.

As he continued walking toward the North Pole, he realized he was moving farther away. Finally, he discovered that he had ventured onto an enormous iceberg and was drifting in one direction as he walked in another direction.

From this, Whitney offers this observation: “There is an enormous difference between activity and progress.

As we look back on 2025, we may have engaged in lots of activity, but have we progressed spiritually? Have we grown? Have we matured? Are we more like Jesus today than we were one year ago? Are we closer to the goal now than this time last year?

Peter commanded all Christians to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). To help quantify growth, consider these ten questions, with some slight modifications, from Whitney’s article.

#1 Are you more thirsty for God than you were a year ago?

#2 Are you more and more loving?

#3 Are you more and more aware of God’s presence and purpose for your life than ever before?

#4 Are you governed more and more by the Bible, God’s Word?

#5 Are you increasingly concerned with the physical and spiritual needs of others?

#6 Are you more and more concerned with the well-being of your church-family?

$7 Are the disciplines of the Christian life more and more important to you than they were a year ago?

#8 Are you more and more aware of your sins, shortcomings, and faults?

#9 Are you more and more willing to forgive others and less inclined to be so critical and judgmental?

#10 Are you thinking more and more about heaven and being at home with Jesus?

Here are four observations about these questions for you to consider as you flip the calendar to the new year.

(1) They call for solemn self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5). They challenge us to get inside ourselves. To explore our motives. Probe the heart. And be really honest.

(2) They remind us that spiritual growth is about direction in life, not just religious rites, church programs, and personal busyness. If we want to be more conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), then we must move in the direction where He is.

(3) Spiritual progress is intentional, not accidental. We must take deliberate, conscious, and willful steps to improve, grow, and make a difference. Growth is more about significance than some artificial measurement of perceived success.

(4) Did you notice the recurring word in Whitney’s questions?

More. More. More.

“More” speaks to increase. Growth. Enhancement. And exceeding. The New Testament often speaks of Christians “abounding.” Abounding in ministry. Abounding in knowledge. Abounding in hope. Abounding in love. Abounding in grace.

When we’re not growing, abounding, and doing better, Jesus asks us, “What more are you doing than others?” (Matt. 5:47).

As we turn the calendar to 2026 today, we close one chapter in our lives and begin a new one. The words of an unknown poet come to mind as we seek to make improvements in the coming year.

I came to my teacher with a quivering lip,
My task undone,
“Teacher, hast thou another page for me?
I have spoiled this one.”

He took the old page,
Stained and blotted,
And gave me a new one,
Clean and unspotted.

And into my sad face smiled…
“Do better next time, my child.”

I came to the throne with trembling heart,
The old year gone.
“Lord, hast Thou another chance for me?
I have spoiled this one.”

He took the old year,
Stained and blotted,
And gave me a new one,
Clean and unspotted.

And into my glad face smiled…
“Do better next time, my child.”

Happy New Year!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman