Readiness

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season…

(2 Timothy 4:2, NKJV)

Happy new year, 2026!!  

This is a time when many optimistically look into the new year with plans of what they wish to achieve.  It is a hopeful period of the year, as we set new resolutions with new commitments to pursue our goals.  It is my prayer that your plans for the year are fulfilled.  The bible reminds us to commit our ways to the Lord and He will direct our paths (Psalm 37:5), may that be our starting point for 2026.  I confess that on a personal level, as I set out my hopes and plans for the year, I asked myself the question, whether I have the capacity to achieve them.  The goals I set need to be realistic to my capacity, and with a little push I can then reach higher.  My observation is that we rarely take the time to gauge our own abilities and preparedness for that which we set to achieve.  As we plan, may we be honest with ourselves so that we neither set our goals so low that they do not satisfy us, nor set them too high to be realized for if this is the case, then we shall be frustrated and disappointed.

Beloved, in our planning, let us remember that everything we do will be a witness to the world that is watching.  Our reference verse calls us to always be prepared to share the message of salvation.  We are to get ourselves ready to share our faith as we navigate our different paths of life.  Just like with the goals that we are setting, preparedness and readiness to share the gospel of our faith is paramount. Someone once said that opportunities come to those who are prepared.  This is true for our witnessing as well as for our natural lives.  Preparedness is a word and activity that we deliberately need to pursue if we are to be successful.  Apostle Paul in writing to the Galatians clearly stated that one is only trusted to call the weight of what he has prepared for.  Paul said that a child though a heir does not differ from the slave but is under guardians and stewards until he is of maturity age (Galatians 4:1).  Brethren, this suggests to us that our level of maturity and preparedness determines what God will entrust to us.  We could be praying for positions of responsibility and promotion in the year 2026, but we have not taken the time to develop ourselves to the standard and level of charge that we are seeking for.  An honest assessment of our areas of strength and development, spiritually and for our daily lives, will help us know what true level of promotion will be possible for us in 2026. Our Father recognizes that we have need for growth, and reading further in Galatians 4 where our reference verse is, we are shown that in the fullness of time and by the help of the Holy Spirit, we move from child heirs into sons of God (Galatians 4: 1-7).  There is room and time for growth. God is a faithful Father who takes pleasure in blessing us, His word says it gives the Father pleasure to give us His Kingdom 12:32).  Beloved, as God is ready to give us His Kingdom when we follow Him, it is incumbent on us to do what is required for equipping so that we are considered ready and able to execute the Kingdom of God in our world.  As our Father, He will not allow us to have what we cannot control for that could destroy us.  He lovingly and patiently leads us through the phases of our lives till we arise to the level and character that will handle the greatness that the Father grants us.  Beloved, God is interested in our maturity to steward His blessings to us.  As the year begins, may we step into the space that allows us to grow to the level of maturity in Christ.

Thoughts:

What are you planning for in 2026?

How have you built your capacity to thrive?

In which areas will you seek growth for impact?