And just like that, another year nears its expiry date as “Father Time” continues his inexorable sprint toward the finish line. For some like me, that line feels closer than for others, thus making the Apostle Paul’s exhortation in Philippians both urgent and deeply encouraging:
“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
Sitting by my sun-dappled window this morning, listening to the rhythmic ripples of the fountain below and the trills of the birds on my condo’s cornices, I find myself ruminating on these three questions based on Paul’s action plan.
If I have to move with wisdom and prophetic precision into 2026, then what will need to be rejected from my life this coming year, what might need to be reinstated, and what should be recalibrated?
- What to Reject: The “Former Things”
We cannot run a new race while carrying the weight of the old one.
God is calling us to forget the things that tripped or triggered us, the failures that discouraged us, the fears that haunted us, the ‘prophetic words’ that seemed to fall flat, the heartbreaking disappointments that paralyzed us, the dreams that died on us, the relationships that wrecked us.
They’re all in the past now and must not be allowed to impede our future. Don’t rent your mind space to them any more- just ruthlessly evict all stinking squatters.
God is not looking back in the past, and neither should we. He is preparing to upturn the soil of our lives to do something entirely fresh.
“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?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
- What to Reinstate: The Name of the Lord
In a world of shifting political tides, destructive wars, and economic uncertainties, we must reinstate our absolute dependence on the Name of the Lord.
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10
The name of Yeshua is the Name before which demons tremble; the only Name by which we are saved; completely and absolutely.
Everything must and will bow its knee to the name of Jesus- every sickness, sin and sorrow. So, remember to exalt and magnify the name of the Lord in all circumstances of your life.
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” Philippians 2:9-10
We must also move past trusting in “chariots and horses”—our own resources and cleverness—and return to the Strong Tower. Safety is found nowhere else.
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Psalms 20:7
- What to Recalibrate: The Fullness of Love
We are living in the days Jesus warned us about—days where the love of many is growing cold. We have mastered the vocabulary of love, but we have avoided the sacrifice of love.
True love requires a death to self. We must recalibrate our hearts to move beyond sounding loving to actually being, and demonstrating, love.
“to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19
Overflowing with love = overflowing with God.
Let’s stop settling for the crumbs that fall from the banqueting table. There is a “fullness of God” available to the Church that we haven’t yet tapped into. Why settle for a drop when He offers a fountain?
“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. John 1:16
The Year of the Stretch
I’m sure that many of you would agree with me that 2025 has been a year of immense stretching. My own life has oscillated between moments of intense and amazing spiritual encounters, and moments of extreme disappointment and confusion quite regularly.
I have stood atop the highest mountain peaks, and then sunk to the lowest valleys of despair, crying out, “But why, God” so very often.
And yet, if I look back closely: In the stretching, His rod and staff have comforted me. In the exhaustion, His grace has enabled me. And in the heat, His consuming fire has refined me.
And for that I am truly grateful- because I know that He is training me to be anOvercomer and a Victor for the more challenging times to come.
Since He has always proved Himself to be a very present help in times of trouble, I will continue to trust Him and lean into His bosom like a weaned child all the days of my life.
So, as we cross the threshold into 2026, I encourage you to not just step over the line—press through it. The Prize is waiting.
Here’s wishing you a Blessed and Powerful 2026, and thank you for keeping me company this past year.
