The New Year 2026

 The New Year 2026

What will 2026 bring? Has it got the power to create or produce anything? Are numbers responsible for what has happened in the preceding years? Did events that occurred in 2025 take place simply because the year was 2025 or were the events planned and orchestrated by people? This brings us to an important question: What are we really expecting in 2026, individually and collectively? Did we achieve by December 31st, 2025 what we resolved to achieve on January, 1st, 2025? If we were succesful in achieving our goals, did they just happen or did they require effort and good thinking from us?

I ask these questions because year after year, people desire for changes in the new year. They are hopeful that things would change for the better, spiritually, emotionally, materially, physically or otherwise. And there is nothing wrong with hoping for the best. They are usually enthusiastic about the new year and are happy to be part of the transition from one year to another (new) year. Some succeed in their plans, others fail miserably and by this time next year may be preparing to go through the motions again. There are other questions that need to be answered such as what plans are made? and for what purpose? are these short-term, medium-term or long-term plans? You will agree that perspective is a key factor. What does that mean?

Well, are our plans designed for life on earth or life after death or both? What is the ultimate goal? Is it to please ourselves or to please God? Are the plans designed for the short time we have on earth or are the plans for the after-life?

The Bible says: "... it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, " (Hebrews 9:27)

So, there are many plans, many perspectives, many experiences, many results but ultimately one inescapable fact. We shall all die and then face judgement. While we hope for success in 2026, each of us is getting older by the day and one day whether in 2026 or many years down the line, we shall depart from this earth. We must remember that we all have one life. Those of us alive are planning and hopefully executing plans for existence on earth. Many people want to initiate changes to their 2025 experience; whatever the case may have been, they need a better situation in 2026.

Is there anything wrong with planning? No. In fact, it has been said failure to plan is planning to fail. The bigger question is: Are we planning for eternity or are we planning for brevity or vanity? My friends, life is short and while it is important to live responsibly, planning must, of necessity, take into consideration our inevitable end here of earth. This is not a trip into morbidity, rather is a confrontation with reality. None of us knows how long we have; and we are not in a position to determine that. God has put in place the unavoidable certainty of life ~ all will die irrespective of status, height, weight, heritage, possessions, influence, ethnicity, etc.

On the first day of the New Year 2026, it seems reasonable to reflect on the issues of life. It seems absolutely necessary to ponder on what we are here on earth for; our pursuits; our desires; our expectations; the fundamental realities we are confronted with day after day. It makes a lot of sense to put things in context. If we live to see 2027, 2026 would be a memory by then just as 2025 is a memory today. Changes are inevitable in life but there is one thing that will never change, that is the Word of God. Jesus said:

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" (Matthew 24:35).

The Word of God will never pass away and death and judgement will come after all the earthly planning. By all means, lets plan for eventualities but let us remember to plan for eternity. This brings us to another important question. How do we plan for eternity. Let me start by quoting three Scriptural passages:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Jesus is the Way to eternal life and He is the only Saviour. Jesus came to earth to die so that we might live. Beyond the considerations and preparations for 2026, we must plan for our departure from this earth. Many who hoped to see 2026 passed away before the end of 2025; many are in hospitals for unforeseen accidents and illnesses; many have no clue how to navigate 2026 because of dire circumstances; many are lost in the complications of life and the horizon looks dark for them. Yes, we must thank God for bringing us to a new year but we must also ask ourselves the important question ~ where shall I spend eternity?

I have written the above lines in the hope that you would pause and think about eternity. Ironically, many plan for temporary situations but ignore the need for reflections on eternity.

The basic choice we all have is either to accept and receive Jesus or reject Him. Have you received Jesus? If He your Saviour and Lord? OR have you rejected Him? I am appealing to you to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour so that you will be saved from the bondage of sin and the devil and will eventually spend eternity in Heaven. Alternatively (and the choice is yours) if you reject Him, you will spend eternity in hell. Come to Jesus today.

Those of you who have already received Jesus, resolve to love Him more with all your heart, with all your soul, with allyour mind and with all your strength.

God bless you and have a happy, blessed and prosperous New Year in 2026.