By Chioma Obinagwam
As we approach the close of 2025, a stirring sermon reminder urges believers to transform their “Detty December”—the slang for Nigeria’s wild, festive holiday season—into a “Glorious December” filled with repentance, righteousness, and unshakeable faith.
The Provincial Pastor of Lagos Province 40 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Bola Odutola, disclosed this at Solidrock Parish, Ojodu, during the last Sunday service of the year 2025.
He said that at the dawn of January 2025, the year felt infinite, much like our ambitions for school, careers, or even leadership roles. Yet, here we stand on December 28, staring at the finish line. This isn’t just about calendars; it’s a universal truth. “Everything in life has an end,” the he declares, drawing parallels to a child’s birth marking the start of their mortality countdown, or a product’s manufacture signaling its expiration date. But here’s the twist—it’s not a “countdown” in despair; it’s a “count up” toward divine purpose.
Rooted in Scripture, Confiance News gathered that the teaching pulls from Job 14:5 across versions like KJV, NIV, MSG, NLT, and AMPC, emphasizing that God has allotted each of us a specific span of time. Psalm 55:23 adds a sobering layer: While no one can exceed their divine limit, many fall short due to poor choices. Pastors, it stresses, aren’t crowd-pleasers but truth-tellers, echoing Galatians 1:10’s call to serve God over man. “The job of pastors is not to tell you what you want to hear but what God wants you to hear,” the sermon notes, urging Christians to learn the power of saying “No” to worldly pressures.
At its core, this message is a blueprint for living long and well—avoiding the “double jeopardy” of a prolonged existence marred by regret. Imagine reaching the end, surrounded by material triumphs like luxurious homes in Asaba or London, only to realize they hold zero value before God. “Those accomplishments before God are no accomplishments,” it warns. Instead, prioritize a life of substantial righteousness, where the fear of death fades, allowing you to depart “joyously.” A visit to any cemetery drives this home: There’s “no protocol in death”—rich and poor lie side by side, stripped of earthly status.
Drawing from a rabbi’s wisdom, Odutola advises repenting every day, since no one knows their final hour. “Make sure you repent a day before you die,” he taught his disciples, cleverly prompting daily introspection. For Christians, this means never detaching from God, even for a single day. Stay sober, it implores; you can’t please everyone—nor should you try. “Are you Jesus?” it quips, reminding believers they’re called to impact a select few, not the masses.
In a touching anecdote, a seasoned teacher shares counseling advice: When advisees weep, cry harder alongside them to bridge emotional gaps, then gently quote Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn.” This empathy underscores the call to be “possessors of faith,” not mere “professors” who spout Scripture without living it. “May you not be scriptures proof and bible proof,” the prayer goes, invoking Psalm 39:4’s plea for awareness of life’s brevity.
As 2025 fades, the ultimate takeaway is crystal clear: A time will come when your Christian faith eclipses all else—jobs, homes, even holiday revelry. “I pray for you that you will not waste lives and destinies,” the message concludes. So, amid the fireworks and feasts, pause for reflection. Live long; live well. Turn your December glorious, and let faith guide you into a purposeful 2026.
May you live long; may you live well. This isn’t just seasonal advice—it’s eternal wisdom for anyone seeking meaning beyond the countdown. Share your thoughts: How are you making your end-of-year count?
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