Happy Sabbath and Happy New Year, friends!
By the time you are reading this message, it is officially 2026.
A lot of people like to come up with New Year resolutions around this time, but something I started doing back in 2017 was choosing a “word of the year” — a word that defines how I want to live and what I want to intentionally strive for in the year ahead.
My word of the year for 2025 was focused. Today, we are going to reflect on whether I lived out that word — and then introduce and discuss the word the Lord placed on my heart for 2026.
Reflecting on 2025 — Focused
2025 was truly an interesting year, but one thing I can say for certain is that I did meet my word of the year — focused.
Based on how the year unfolded, I feel I was very much focused on my relationship with Christ. Throughout this past year, I intentionally made choices that helped me keep my eyes fixed on our Heavenly Father.
Were there shortcomings or mistakes along the way? Of course. We are not perfect beings. Yet the Lord still found ways to use me because I was determined to live a life focused on Him.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”Psalms 16:8 (NIV)
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Practical Ways I Stayed Focused on the Lord
Some of the things I implemented in my life that helped me stay focused on the Lord included waking up between 5-6 AM to worship Him. Beginning each day with my heart and eyes turned toward Jesus helped me stay anchored in Him as the day went on.
Another important change was holding myself accountable to constant prayer throughout the day. I began praying not only before meals or at bedtime, but consistently throughout my day. Whenever anxiety crept in, I knew the only way I would truly find relief was by turning to God in prayer.
Prayer has been one of the most powerful and effective ways for me to stay focused on the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”Psalms 5:3 (NIV)
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”James 5:16 (NIV)
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Entering 2026 — Peace
After spending all of 2025 focused on our Heavenly Father, it is now time to step into 2026 with a new word of the year.
The word I felt the Lord place on my heart for 2026 is peace.
This past year strengthened my focus on Christ, and now I believe it is time to intentionally pursue peace — a peace that is only truly found in Him.
John 14:27 (NIV)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”John 16:33 (NIV)
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””Romans 5:1 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”Ephesians 2:14 (NIV)
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,”
Striving for Peace in Christ
As I enter 2026, I want to strive for a life rooted in Christ’s peace. Before now, much of my life felt filled with turmoil and stress — some self-induced, some caused by external circumstances.
This year, my prayer is to trust Christ so deeply that I can truly rest in His peace.
I want to guard my heart and no longer place it in the wrong hands, but instead keep it firmly anchored in Christ. I want to prioritize my health — spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional. I want to let go of the past and stop allowing it to control my present. Above all, I want to be filled with God’s perfect peace.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
A New Year, A New Beginning
If I’m being honest, I don’t think there has ever been a season in my life where I felt truly at peace. My mind has often been loud with worry and fear — yet I know our Heavenly Father does not desire that for His children. He desires rest for our hearts, steadiness for our minds, and trust that is rooted fully in Him.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
As we step into this new year, my prayer is not only that I would grow in peace, but that you would as well. A new year is a reminder that God is still working, still restoring, and still inviting us to draw closer to Him.
On this Sabbath day, I encourage you to spend intentional time in prayer with the Lord. Ask Him to reveal what may need to change, what may need to be released, and where He is calling you to trust Him more deeply. He is faithful to meet us where we are and to lead us forward according to His will.
May the Lord fill you with perseverance, strength, and peace as you pursue the purpose He has placed on your heart. Remember this truth: your identity is not found in the past — it is found in Christ, and He continues to give new beginnings to those who seek Him.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
““Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Happy New Year.
May God bless you and keep you in 2026.
Amen.
Saved By His Grace 
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