Meditating on God’s Will in 2026

Daily Reading: Genesis 1, Psalm 1, Matthew 1, Proverbs 1

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” 

Psalm 1:1-3

Meditating on God’s will in our lives. Meditating on his word in 2026.

What would that look like?

I absolutely love the imagery of the tree planted by the streams of the water. I have always found my mind is the most calm, my soul most at peace, when I am sitting by the water. There is something about the steady flow of the stream, the subtle waves on the surface of the lake as they make their way to shore, and the endless expanse of the ocean that causes everything in me to slow down.

To be present. To meditate.

In a world of constant stimulation, smart phones, social media, and dopamine addiction, it can be so hard to stay rooted in God’s word throughout the day. 

Genesis 1: 27 tells us today that: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them.”

Our world fights incredibly hard every single day to mold us into a far different image. 

Romans 12:2 is one of my all time favorite verses:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

As I enter 2026, I cannot help but look back on 2025 and ask myself:

“What did I meditate on last year? Was it God’s will in my life? God’s Word?”

There were certainly seasons where that was the case. There were also seasons, if I am being honest, where I was far more frequently conforming to the pattern of this world instead of resting firmly in my identity as a chosen son of the King, created in God’s image.

What did you most frequently “meditate on” this past year? Where was your attention constantly pulled?

TikTok? Instagram? Snapchat?

Success in school? Getting better grades? AP exams?

Career advancement? Financial success?

Your favorite show that drops a new episode on Wednesday? College or Pro sports? YouTube?

These are not all inherently bad things. In fact, some of them are worthy goals and we can honor God by giving our absolute best to whatever it is that we put our mind to.

1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Every year, I love setting new goals in every area of my life. I want my faith to grow every single year so that I can be transformed more into the image of Christ. I desire to be a better husband and father for Naomi and my children. My hope is that the work I do in all areas of my life glorifies God. I know that my body is a temple, and that God’s will in my life is that I take care of this temple well through being active, working out, and eating healthy. If I am a good steward of my finances, it means I am able to give more back to help others.

Goals can be wonderful things.

The question is, am I doing it all for the glory of God?

As I walk through my day, do my thoughts wander back to him? Am I like the tree, planted on the bank of the stream, bearing good fruit? 

Or, do I instead meditate on everything the world wants to use to pull me away from resting in my Father’s love? 

Does my heart consistently desire time in God’s word, moments in quiet where I can pray and seek out his voice, opportunities to worship?

Or, is the overwhelming pull to a device? To Instagram? Netflix? A groupchat?

When I think about my goals, are they through a lens of glorifying God or building my own kingdom in 2026?

It is all about the posture of our heart and doing battle every single day to maintain it.

For me, I am always the closest to God when I write. Over the past several years, I have allowed the busy season of life that I was in to pull me away from my writing. In 2026, I am committed to blogging every day for the next 365.

If reading these on a daily basis is helpful for you in your walk with Jesus, I would love it if you came along for the ride! We will be working through the entire Bible in one year, and reflecting on the readings each day.

I am excited for the next 365 days and seeing what God has in store for my life and your’s!

I would also love for this to be a dialogue and not just a monologue! Your comments truly are life giving. 

Daily Reflection & Dialogue

Where did the world tend to pull you away in 2025? In what areas were you tempted to conform to the pattern of this world? What daily rhythms help you to stay planted on the bank of the river, resting in your father’s love and keeping your identity firmly resting in him? How can you guard those rhythms better in 2026?

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