Beyond Resolutions: Seeking God’s Presence in 2026

Greetings in the blessed name of the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father. May their grace, peace, and mercy be yours in abundance!

As another year has passed and a new year has dawned, I began to wonder if I might make a “New Year’s resolution.” I’m not normally a person who makes New Year’s resolutions, but I thought I’d give it a shot as 2026 begins. Many things come to mind: daily exercise, less TV, limiting social media and internet intake, or cutting down on the goodies I consume (and boy, did I consume some since Thanksgiving—forgive me, Lord). How about reading through the Bible twice this year? Or memorizing a new scripture each week? Or reading an additional spiritual book every month? Or maybe spending an hour a day in prayer and Bible study?

All of these are good resolutions to consider. However, I recently read about one I want to strive for. On January 1, 1937, a man named Frank Laubach opened his diary and wrote an amazing and challenging resolution for himself. He said, “God, I want to give you every minute of my life this year. I shall attempt to keep you in mind every moment of every day.” As he lived his life that year, he recorded what he believed was the percentage of each day that he achieved this: 50%, 60%, and so on. He never did record giving God 100% of any day, yet he continued to strive for that goal.

As we embark on a new year and a new adventure with God in 2026, why not consider joining me in trying to do what Frank wanted to do: practice the presence of God in as many moments each day as possible! Although he never fully obtained what he sought, his relationship with God was deepened, his understanding of holiness was increased, and his realization that God was always close to him was exponentially expanded. As God told Joshua in Joshua 1:9, “I will go with you wherever you go.” And as Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 28:20, “And remember, I am with you always, even until the end of the age.”

Let’s resolve to have a godly year in 2026, rejoicing each moment of each day that we have a God who loves us, a Savior who died for us, and the Holy Spirit who reminds us regularly that God is near us, for us, and in us!

Happy New Year,

Jack