On Purpose: Reflecting on another New Year

Living more intentionally in 2026

Here we are again. The start of a New Year. A couple of things over the last month have put me in a pondering mood. My 61^st birthday on December 9 reminded me that I have come a long way. Then a week off after Christmas gave me time to reflect back and think forward.

One Scripture provided the catalyst for my meditations. In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas had the opportunity to preach in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. In his Gospel explanation, Paul presented the case for Jesus as Messiah. Part of his case included the Davidic line qualifications of Jesus.

In making that case, Paul pointed out that David was a great King. But Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. David died, was buried, and his body decomposed.

Yeah, I know. I’m getting a little morbid here but stick with me.

In verse 36, Paul made a simple statement about the mortality of David. But that statement stirred my heart and caused me to take stock of my life.

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption…”

The line that has gripped me is “served the purpose of God in his own generation...”

Sometimes we try to determine of someone did something “accidentally” or “on purpose.” Our responses to them may vary depending on what we believe was the cause of their action. I want to live my life on purpose.

Let me share with you two of the thoughts that I have pondered as I meditated on that concept. Hopefully these will challenge you to think about your life and live on purpose in 2026.

First, our life is temporary. One statistic none of us can escape is that 1 out of every 1 people die. Some die young, some old. Some died naturally, some tragically. Some died quickly, others suffer long. But EVERYONE dies at some point or another.

I don’t know when my time will come, but I know that eventually it will. I hope it is not in 2026. But should the Lord so choose, I am more than ready. I understand now more than ever Paul’s sentiment in Philippians 1:21.

But whether it is sooner or later, I only have this one life. Life is not a video game with a restart button. This is the life He has given me. I don’t know how old I will be when I die. My dad was only 73. My mom was almost 80. I have grandmothers who lived into their 90s. One grandfather died in his late 50s and the other in his mid 60s. So for me, only God knows. But what is sure is that I have more years behind me than in front of me.

Second, God has a purpose for my life. Ultimately, His purpose is that I bring Him glory as He makes me more like Jesus (Romans 8:29). But practically, He has a purpose by which I fit into His larger plan of redeeming and restoring this fallen world.

You see, a lot of us (myself included) spend a lot of time and effort fulfilling our own life purpose. We do what we think is best or what we want. We decide what career or jobs we pursue. Most of us try to self-determine how our lives play out.

And if we are not pursuing our own life purpose, we are trying to live out someone else’s purpose for us. We let others dictate what we value, how we think, and what we do. We want to please others whether it be a family member, employer, or the general public.

Many people feel a void in their lives because they pursue the wrong purpose. David served the purpose of God. I want to do the same.

I have no idea how those two thoughts will play out in my 2026. But I have some aspirations based on them.

1. I don’t want to live my life trying to fit into someone else’s mold they have made for me. I once had a leader at a previous church who wanted me to leave. His only reason was, “you just don’t fit into my image of what a pastor should be.” I think part of me has always wanted my church to be happy with me. But God has given me a heart for Him and His work. And ultimately, HE is the one to whom I will give an eternal account.

2. I will devote the rest of my life to two goals. One is challenging people to take their walk with Jesus seriously. The other is to help them in every way I can to grow in their walk with Jesus.

Many people never study their Bible. And many of those who do, do not know how to study it properly. I want to help people move from merely saying a prayer to fervently praying. I want to help people deepen their dialogue with God.

3. I want to model and teach what it means to live ALL of life in light of the Gospel and its truth. I want to experience God’s active grace in my life all day every day. And I want to help others recognize what it means to apply Gospel truth to everyday life.

Here’s to a lot of personal spiritual growth in 2026. Pray for me.