by David Brenneman
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going." Hebrews 11:8
The beginning of a new year is like the start of a journey to an unfamiliar land. We may think we know some of the details about where we are headed, but how it will all turn out is shrouded in mystery. Abraham had such an excursion when God called him out of his home country to go to the land of promise. There were
numerous unknowns for Abraham, including where he was going, how he would provide food and water for his family and flocks, how God would fulfill the promises, and what difficulties would arise.
You may feel as if your life has just as many uncertainties as Abraham's. You may have so many hopes, burdens, or challenges that your mind reels with questions. Remember, in all those unknowns, the Lord continually teaches you to rely on Him, just as He did His faithful servant. And just as He was with Abraham, He will be with you and work in completely unexpected ways. Your challenge is to let go of control, trust God today, and allow Him to lead step-by-step.
Jesus, this year belongs to You. Help me to know You and trust You more every day. Amen.
- Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.
The journey set upon me this day began in the summer of last year so looking into this year...anything is still possible. Praying for what it is that God wants for you is by and large, far and away, the better thing for you, for each of us.
I know not what my future holds, but I know He who holds my future in His hands. My Dear Reader such it is for you as well.
Abraham faced a future of unknowns, one after another. Yet his life is recorded as having been one that trusted in his God.
My dreams! What of my dreams! What of them? They yet still may or may not be what Jesus has in mind for you. Remember, my Dear Reader, that our lives are not our own, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We may yet indeed have some, all, or none of our dreams fulfilled in this life. Depends greatly if those align with the call of God for you in Christ Jesus.
When we came to Christ we came with our everything to go on the altar. We became part of the body of Christ. We had spiritual gifts imparted to each of us by the Spirit of God to be used in service to our God. When you read the Gospels you read of lives changing because they began leaving behind what they wanted in favor of receiving what Jesus was giving them. At the end of the Gospels we read that they were to go, make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that Jesus had commanded them. Meaning that our lives are supposed to be a mirror of the dedication, the love, the obedience of Christ to the world in which we find ourselves.
We read after the Gospels that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. We have a job to do, a service to perform, in Christ Jesus. This is to be a priority above our wants and desires.
These thoughts take us to commitment not to resolutions. Jesus said for each of us to take up our own cross and follow Him.
Those who make resolutions only do so because they know that resolutions are made with a built-in out. That an oh well it didn't work, better luck next time attitude will satisfy their conscience.
A commitment means your integrity, your personal word, is on the line. Failure isn't an option.
For me, I want what God wants for me. Whether it's still in something to do with electronics or whether it's cleaning restrooms.
Truth be told my ultimate dreams are 100% not achievable. I will never pilot a fighter jet. I will likely never be in a fighter jet even as a ride along. I will never go on a mission to space, or to orbit the moon. The other lesser dreams such as being a published writer of books is probably the only somewhat attainable one left. There's the dream to be debt free in order to be able to just help others in Christ. There's another to successfully invent something as well.
However, it's not my dreams that are important. The will of my Father in Heaven is what's important. When I, when you, came to Christ, we were to set aside self in order to please the one whom saved us. While it remains possible to have our dreams and His purposes for us coincide, when it doesn't it doesn't matter to me. It's supposed to be His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
We are still here in 2026 because of only a few reasons. The sanctifying work of the Spirit within each of us and His purpose for us in this world to reach people around us for Christ. To live our lives in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.
It isn't for what we can get out of life but rather what we can do for His Kingdom that matters.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.
You and I are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Which means not necessarily what we want to happen in our lives. Paul wanted certain things to happen in his life but was told that's not how it was going to be. That God's grace was sufficient for him in going through what he was going through.
The same goes for us going into 2026. God's grace is sufficient for each of us. Setting our hearts and minds on what God's wanting to accomplish in our lives will bring Him honor and glorify Him.
"Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3.
"Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." Psalms 37:5.
"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13.
When you came to Christ for salvation...you said you were committing to a life in Christ.
Keep your commitment.
Abandon any resolutions.
Put off the old self with its practices and put on Christ.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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