2026 A Year of Purpose

"Then the Lord answered me and said: 'Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2-3

Every year, I ask the Lord for a word.

This has been a fun, unique journey where I sit, pray, and meditate on what I feel He is guiding me to focus on for the next year. I know many people who are opposed to New Year's Resolutions. What I love about them is their time restraint.

You get one year.

Each year has been uniquely different. For a while, the Lord encouraged me to pursue a holy, consecrated life, free from sin and bondage.

If you know my story, I have struggled with masturbation for many years. It was a wall between God and I's relationship, and in 2019, He prophesied the word Breakthrough over my life.

I've asked for a word ever since.

This year, asking for a word felt different.

It was late October. Early that morning, I woke up to get ready for a run. I remember looking at the calendar and seeing that it was almost November thought, "hmm I wonder what my word will be for 2026?"

Instantly, the word Blessed dropped in my spirit. Although I was confident it was from the Lord, I asked for confirmation. Then I went for a run.

When I returned, I read a devotional Briston and I wrote called the Hebrews Challenge. The verse for that day read "BLESSED are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 5:10

Confirmation already! I was so excited. Usually, it takes a few days before I receive confirmation, but I guess God wanted me to know right then that I had heard Him correctly.

Once I know the word for the next year, I begin to prepare. This includes praying, but something new God wanted me to add was fasting to my preparation.

Fasting is powerful. But it's also hard and sacrificial. I knew God was asking me to sacrifice for His desires for my life in 2026, but with being pregnant and training for a half-marathon, I worried if I would have the strength and self-control to do it.

God wanted me to try and remember that fasting His way means leaning on Him in times of weakness.

I started the fast after Thanksgiving. It's amazing how clearly we can hear Him when we fast!

Two things I wanted to pray about during this prayer and fast:

1. What does God want me to focus on in 2026?

   I tend to get a lot of ideas and can overload my plate. But God wants us to be intentional and focus on the right things at the right time. I knew if I wanted to fulfill His will in 2026, I needed to pray against distractions and for the exact things He wanted me to focus on.

2. That I remain faithful to complete His assignments.

   I'm good at starting things, but struggle to complete them when I don't see the fruit of it. Endurance is something we talk about a lot in the faith, but remaining faithful and enduring even when we don't see the fruit of our work is hard. If I want to see the fruit of my labor, I must complete it. Finish the race. Cross the finish line - whether that's on Earth or in Heaven.

Since I started the fast, I've already seen revelation from the Lord.

1. My focus for 2026 is on Running and Writing. Two things I can handle while managing a family and serving at church.

2. I am capable of more than I think. I need to trust God and start. He will figure out the rest and guide me step by step.

3. Rest is a holy characteristic of God. He doesn't want us to be overloaded, overwhelmed, or chaotic but intentional, purposeful, and patient.

Another thing God has encouraged me to do is pray for my goals. For so long, I thought this was selfish, but He's making me realize that when we abide in Him, our goals are really His plans for our lives. Why would I not pray for that?

Goals I am praying for in 2026:

1. More intentional with my social media presence. This means researching strategy and purpose with how to best reach the people I feel He's calling me to pour into.

2. Grow my platforms through consistency. The number of followers isn't a big deal, but they do allow us more opportunities to speak into people's lives. I want to have influence and impact. "If we are faithful with a little, God will entrust us with much." I want to be faithful with the small platforms I do have and show God that I can be trusted.

3. Learning to say no to the wrong things and yes to the right things. Having two words to focus on helps, but I still fear that I will be tempted to say yes to things that are good but not what I need in this season.

4. Be a good mom and an even better wife. Career ambitions are great, but family is so important. As I prepare to have our second daughter, I also want to be intentional with my time at home and how I can be the best wife for my husband.

What are some goals you feel God is putting on your heart? Don't neglect them. Write them down. Pray into them. Seek His direction. He has not called us to live an ordinary life of uncertainty or purposelessness. But to first seek His Kingdom as we live on this Earth.