Well if you are reading this then you survived the Christmas countdown of 2025 and all the holiday hoopla. Now it’s on to 2026 and what this year will hold for us. For some it comes with the excitement of a new relationship, a new job or maybe a new baby. For those who will experience all that I say congrats and good luck. For the rest of us, this year may not see any excitement on that level but I promise there will still be adventures to map out and stories to be told. But in order to see a vision of what 2026 could be like, we need to first look back at what we wish we would’ve done differently to gain the perspective of looking forward to what we should do this year. Then we can pray to see our present situation through God’s eyes and get a vision of what’s really important. That’s why today is a gift – the present because you never know the surprises it may hold.

So if today is a gift, then we need to see that time is also a gift – each day, each week, each year, every moment we are here. The time we have here on this earth is so precious and valuable. It’s a finite resource that often we forget how important it really is until we don’t have that time to do over – especially time with a loved one. Once spent, time can never be recovered, hence why it’s so important to choose meaningful relationships, set reasonable goals and achieve personal growth every year. We never know just how much time we have left so we definitely shouldn’t waste it.

Then we have to also realize that we possess a gift. Each one of us has a special gift inside of us that needs to be shared with the world. That’s right. We all have unique gifts that we possess – whether a resource, a talent or maybe even an asset. We were blessed to be a blessing. After all, what good is a gift that’s never given away? If it only collects dust then where’s the value in it? This is when we can look forward and pay it forward. Maybe it’s time to see your gift and see that there’s someone who has a need that only you can meet. Do you have the right words and the wisdom that could help solve their issue, their hurt, or start them on the road to healing? Do you want to keep looking back and wishing you had done things differently or do you want to do something today that will change your future and someone else’s?

Lastly, when we understand that this life is a journey, not just a destination then we can find the real joy in it. Of course true joy comes from knowing Jesus, helping others and finding your life’s purpose to help someone in need. Your true happiness and purpose will come from the fulfillment of using your time which is a gift to give to others. Your gift of friendship, your gift of gab, your gift of resources is your life’s purpose. Your true happiness will never be fully unlocked until your unique gift and someone’s unique need come together. So look forward to seeing that vision of what 2026 could be. God’s path for your life is like a collision course where at the intersection your gift crashes into the world’s need. It’s those intersections or crossroads that you may not be expecting but they will define where you are turning next and what you will be doing next for God’s glory.

Those three simple absolutes—the gift, the need, the journey—are the secret to opening your eyes to God’s vision of the whole picture – the past, the present and the future. These are the keys that will begin to unlock God’s story in your life. Then they will open doors that transform an ordinary life into an extraordinary adventure.

I can’t wait to see what God has planned for you in 2026 when you catch the vision.