By Morris Wambua

Ah, September, and October is almost here with us! It’s that time of the year when many of us come face to face with the reality that those bold New Year’s resolutions we made back in January may not have gone exactly as planned.

Remember how we confidently proclaimed, “This is my year! The year I break free, the year I
chase after God like never before!”?

Well, now we’re nine months in, and if we’re being honest, some of us are still wrestling with the same old struggles we thought we’d have conquered by March.

But hey, before you start beating yourself up, let’s take a moment to reflect—and rediscover hope.

The fact that you’re still here, still seeking, and still desiring change, says a lot more than you may realize.

Trust me, God’s not done with you yet.

A Year of High Hopes, Real Battles, and Unseen Growth

Those prayers you whispered back in January?

The promises you made to God to leave behind old habits, conquer secret struggles, and hunger for righteousness over worldly success?

If you’ve stumbled along the way, don’t worry—you’re in good company. Even some of the Bible’s greatest heroes, like David and Paul, faced similar battles.

David, a man after God’s own heart, had his moments of great failure, and yet God still used him mightily.

Paul, who was once a persecutor of Christians, became one of the most powerful apostles.

Their stories remind us that setbacks are part of the journey, not the end of the story.

If you feel like you’ve missed the mark, know this: You’re not alone. We all have moments of struggle and failure. But the good news?

The year’s not over yet!

There’s still time to turn things around.

In fact, God doesn’t need the full 12 months to bring transformation in your life. He can do more in these next few months than you’ve seen in the previous nine, if you choose to shift your focus back to Him.

Remember, it’s not about how we started—it’s about how we finish.

September: The Perfect Time for a Reset

Maybe this is exactly the right time for a reset.

Think about it.

September is like the “second New Year,” a fresh opportunity to evaluate where you are and where you’re headed.

Instead of looking at the past eight months with regret, why not look ahead with hope?

God’s mercies are new every morning—even in September. He’s still moving, still working, and still writing your story.

Now, instead of dwelling on what hasn’t gone right, let’s shift our perspective. Those spiritual battles you’ve been fighting?

The ones that didn’t seem to go away overnight?

You’re still in the ring, still standing, and that’s what truly matters.

God sees your perseverance. Every tear, every prayer, every time you’ve chosen to get back up after falling—God’s been with you through it all.

Your Struggles Are Not Wasted

Let’s get real for a moment.

The time you spent chasing after things that didn’t quite work out, or the prayers you’ve been
offering up that haven’t been answered yet—it wasn’t for nothing.

Maybe God was doing something deeper in you than you realized.

Perhaps He was teaching you persistence, endurance, and the value of realigning your priorities.

You might have been praying for a breakthrough, but maybe what you needed first was inner transformation.

The good news?

God can still break through in these last few months.

Whether it’s a hidden addiction, pride, lust, anger,or something else that’s been keeping you distant from Him—God is powerful enough to break those chains. But here’s the key: you need to be intentional about it.

Just like you were in January when you made those big resolutions, it’s time to be just as focused now.

Progress Over Perfection

Too often, we fall into the trap of thinking that God expects perfection from us.

But guess what?

God’s not looking for perfection; He’s looking for progress. If you’ve fallen seven times, rise up the eighth time.

There’s no shame in the falling—it’s in the refusing to get back up where we lose out. The beauty of God’s grace is that His mercies are new every morning. That means, no matter how many times you’ve slipped up this year, you can start fresh today.

God doesn’t just give us a second chance; He gives us unlimited chances. His grace is always available, always sufficient.

So, instead of focusing on where you’ve failed, focus on how far you’ve come and how much more God has in store for you.

Reevaluating Our Priorities: Seeking First the Kingdom

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33? “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” 

It’s one of those promises that’s easy to forget when we’re busy chasing after success, wealth, or recognition. But the divine principle still stands: When we prioritize our relationship with God, everything else tends to fall into place.

Think about the things you’ve been praying for this year—favor, opportunities, financial breakthroughs.

Those are all good things, but maybe it’s time to shift our prayers a little. Instead of focusing on the
external, let’s ask God to help us overcome our inner battles first. The pride, the anger, the addictions, the secret sins that nobody else knows about—those are the things that distance us from God. And when we allow Him to break those chains, we make room for Him to move powerfully in our lives.

The Power of Surrender

So, here’s the real question: Are you ready to surrender?

Are you willing to let go of trying to do it all on your own and give God full control over the rest of this year?

Surrender is one of the hardest things to do, but it’s also one of the most freeing.

When we stop trying to carry everything ourselves and trust God to take over, we open
ourselves up to experiencing His power and grace in ways we never thought possible.

It’s not about being perfect.

It’s about being willing to let go and let God. When we do that, He can take what’s left of this year and make it the most spiritually transformative season of our lives.

Practical Steps for a Spiritually Transformative Final Quarter

So, what does it look like to finish the yearstrong? Here are a few practical steps:

1. Refocus Your Priorities: Take some time to pray and ask God to reveal any areas of your life where you’ve lost focus. Maybe you’ve been chasing after success or material blessings instead of seeking Him first. Ask Him to help you realign your priorities with His will. 
2. Set Realistic Goals: Rather than making lofty resolutions, set small, achievable goals that will help you grow spiritually. For example, commit to spending 15 minutes in prayer each morning or reading one chapter of the Bible each day. 
3. Find Accountability: Don’t go it alone. Find a friend, mentor, or small group who can encourage you and hold you accountable in your spiritual walk. There’s strength in community. 
4. Pray for Inner Transformation: Instead of praying for external blessings, focus your prayers on asking God to change you from the inside out. Ask Him to break the chains of sin, addiction, and pride that have been holding you back. 

Celebrate Progress

Don’t wait until you’ve “arrived” to celebrate.

Take time to thank God for every bit of progress you’ve made, no matter how small it may seem.

Progress is still progress.

Let’s Pray Together

As we step into these last few months of the year, let’s come before God with humble hearts, ready to reset, refocus, and surrender to His will.

“Lord, as we enter into the final stretch of thisyear, I ask for Your grace to finish strong. Where I’ve fallen short, give me the strength to rise again. Help me focus on what truly matters—my relationship with You. Break the chains that have held me back, and renew my heart with a hunger for righteousness. I trust that as I seek You first, everything else will fall into place. Thank You for not giving up on me. Let the rest of this year be a testimony of Your faithfulness. Amen.”

The Final Stretch: God’s Not Done With You Yet

Friends, God’s still in control.

This is your moment.

The year’s not over yet, and neither is God’s plan for your life.

You may have stumbled along the way, but you’re still standing, and that’s what matters.

Let’s make these last few months count.

Let’s surrender to God, refocus on what truly matters, and trust Him to bring about the transformation we’ve been longing for. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how we started—it’s about how we finish. And with God on our side, the finish line is filled with hope, victory, and grace.