Friends—it’s Monday, December 1, 2025. Somehow, we’ve stepped into the final chapter of another year. Ready or not, a month from now, we’ll be ringing in 2026. And as the calendar turns, it naturally invites each of us to pause, breathe deeply, and look ahead.
What are you looking forward to with great anticipation in 2026?
What hopes stir quietly in your heart?
What goals, aspirations, ambitions, and expectations are you carrying into the coming year?
For many of us, this year has brought both beauty and burden. We’ve felt the weight of change, the sting of loss, the challenges of growth. And yet, we’ve also seen God show up in unexpected places, weaving grace into the seams of our days. As we stand on the edge of a new year, we get to decide how we will enter it: timidly or with intention, distracted or discerning, resigned or hopeful.
A New Year Isn’t Just a Date: It’s an Invitation
The turning of the calendar is not magic, but it is meaningful. It’s an opportunity for us to ask deeper questions:
- Where am I headed?
- Who am I becoming?
- What has God been stirring within me?
- What am I willing to release?
- What am I ready to embrace?
Maybe you’re dreaming of creative projects. Maybe you’re hoping for healing (physical, emotional, or spiritual). Maybe you’re longing for relational restoration, vocational clarity, or fresh purpose.
Or maybe you just want to breathe again; to feel joy rise more freely, to notice beauty more consistently, or to rediscover the peace your heart has been craving.
Looking Back to Move Forward
Reflection is a powerful spiritual practice. Before you can step fully into what’s next, it helps to acknowledge where you’ve been. What did 2025 teach you? What did it reveal about your heart, your faith, your resilience?
Were there moments where God whispered to you?
Were there experiences that shaped you, deepened you, or strengthened you?
As Christians, we don’t move into the future alone. We move into it with Immanuel, God with us. And because He goes before us, you and I can walk forward with confidence, even if the way ahead feels unclear.
Setting Intentional Goals
As you begin considering your 2026 goals, here are a few grounding prompts:
- A spiritual goal: How do I want to grow closer to God this year?
- A creative goal: What do I feel called to create, explore, or express?
- A relational goal: Who do I want to invest in and how?
- An emotional goal: What habits or rhythms will nurture my inner life?
- A vocational goal: What would faithful stewardship look like in my work?
- A service goal: How can I be the hands and feet of Jesus in my community?
Not every goal needs to be BIG. Some of the most powerful changes begin quietly and grow slowly.
Hope for What’s Ahead
As we prepare to turn the page, remember this: A new year doesn’t demand perfection; it invites participation. Show up as you are. Bring your whole story. Offer your hopes to God and trust that He is already shaping what’s next.
So I’ll ask again (because your answers matter):
What are you looking forward to with great anticipation in 2026?
What are your goals, your aspirations, your ambitions, and your expectations?
May 2026 be the year you grow deeper roots, take braver steps, and discover more of God’s goodness in the unfolding of your days.
Your Turn
I’d love to hear your reflections. Please feel free to drop them in the comments below. Let’s walk into 2026 together with hope, gratitude, and renewed purpose.
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
You can now find my articles in The Christian Grandfather Magazine.
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© 2025 Rainer Bantau | The Devotional Guy™ | All Rights Reserved
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I think it’s brave that you stepped outward in 2025 by encouraging others with handwritten mail. When something meant to bless others leaves you feeling awkward or lonely, I believe that’s worth paying attention to. I don’t think it means you missed the mark. It might simply mean God is reshaping the “who” or the “how.” Sometimes the audience changes. Sometimes the method does. Sometimes He uses the discomfort to deepen something in us.
I’m grateful my questions helped you think from a slightly different angle. Praying with you as you discern what next year’s outward focus might look like. IMHO, you are doing a good, thoughtful work that undoubtedly blesses others.
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I’m a goal-setter and enjoy planning the next year so I’ve been thinking about this very thing for a couple weeks now. Thank you for the specific questions though, that will help me narrow my focus a little…
I typically choose a physical goal, creative goal, and a Bible verse to guide. Your questions have me thinking more outside myself for next year, which is scary because I enjoy the hermit life usually 😂
In 2025 I did focus on encouraging a set of people with mail throughout the year. I was surprised at how awkward and lonely it felt. That’s one thing I’ve been praying about – whether to continue? Change the audience?
Thank you for the inspiration!
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Amen 🙏🏼🤗 Thank You
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These are all admirable goals, Willie. I pray the Lord provides you with what you need to do what you need to do. I’ve found I’ve got to do what the Lord puts in front of me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for reading my post.
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Thanks for sharing your insights, RJ. This season is off to a great start.
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Yes, indeed. Thanks for reading my post, Barb. I felt like it tied into Advent‘s theme of anticipation.
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Thank you, Loring. Perhaps, it may seem too soon to think about next year, but it will be here before we know it. I’m happy know that this post may be helpful.
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Wonderful message. For me, I’m keeping it simple for 2026: I want to finally get the work done around the house that I’ve been putting off. I also hope to publish at least two of my books. Hoping to travel again, it’s been years since we’ve taken a good road trip. Praying my wife, my boys, and I will all be in better health so we can enjoy the new year with strength and peace.
Here’s to a hopeful 2026, trusting God every step of the way.
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Thanks Rainer. Many great suggestions and ideas here. I appreciate this and the thought behind it. We know with the Lord there must always be improvement, increasing maturity, a closer walk, and greater effectiveness and accomplishments as His disciples. In this effort, though, and I know you agree, it is good to know the Lord is always right there with His children not only guiding us into the next project, development, understanding, etc., but also in the yoke as well working alongside us. He sent His men out in pairs and would never send us out alone without Himself. In that regard we can always look forward to the next step with the focus on keeping in step and following our Leader. Though it may appear we are planning it out we are actually doing that in the context of trying to hear from Him and obey as best we can as you well know, of course. So glad for His grace and understanding while going forward. Hope you’re having a great season so far. Blessings
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I like the idea of “Looking Back to Move Forward” because healthy self reflection can bring clarity and fresh ideas.
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Excellent guideline to work through as I prepare for the new year. Thank you.
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