Each one of us will be formed into the image of something or someone in 2025. Whether the formation comes from CNN or FOX News, social media algorithms, or addictive substances, none of us will make it through the year unformed.

Formation happens in our lives whether we’re Christians or not or have any sense of a higher power or not, because attention changes us. For instance, if our attention is given to slogans like “live your truth,” “follow your heart,” and “you do you,” we’ll become certain types of persons, likely ones who are self-focused or irritable when we sense others encroaching on our autonomy. If we listen to conspiracy theories or political commentators, we’ll likely become anxious, fearful, angry, and argumentative. If we spend our days staring at screens or devices, our souls will be hardened to the things of God over time. We can’t fixate on things and remain unchanged. Our habits, whether we engage them intentionally or not, form us.

Can you identify things that have changed in your life in recent years—physical, psychological, emotional, and/or spiritual things? Maybe you faithfully attended church for a while but no longer do. Maybe you’ve gained 20 pounds. Maybe you’re more anxious in large crowds than ever before. You’re not the same person you were ten years ago. None of us are.