Surrender and Submission
Happy New Year! I can't tell you how excited I am to be blogging again and my prayer is that these posts will be a place to find some tips, strategies, encouragement and accountability for writing. But most of all, I want to be sure and point to the author and creator of all, God, with whom all things are possible.
As I was praying about my first 2026 blog post, I thought about a new year, with new opportunities, new goals, new habits, new friendships, new growth. But then God brought to mind how important it is sometimes to look at the old. It's so easy to want to rush into new without fully thinking on the old and what it brought, and without thanking God for the old.
Today I want to encourage us all to think on 2025 and the opportunities, the goals, the habits, the friendships and the growth that came with it. Some of it was amazing; some of it was awful; but it was all in His plan and for His glory. Let's be sure to thank God for the entire journey of 2025. When we can choose to do this, I believe it will bring some things into focus:
Every detour that happened, even though it was frustrating, was used for our growth. We learned that God's way is always so much better than our way.
Every delay, while we waited impatiently, was a time of refining us. It was a time to still ourselves so we could hear God clearly.
Every step, even the ones that felt like one step forward and two steps back, were orchestrated by Him. He held us every step of the way, steady, strong, mighty.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." - Psalm 23 (KJV)
If we can be grateful for last year, every part of it, we can then step boldly into this year. We can have the faith of knowing we will walk through evil, but we don't have to fear, for God will walk with us.
And look, we don't have all the answers, we will never have all the answers, and we aren't meant to.
Our job is Obedience!
His is Outcome!
Our boldness, our courage, should come from our trust in the One who does have all the answers. He has already walked this year in front of us; He knows that it holds; and He loves us and has prepared the way for us.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Doesn't this verse encourage you as we look at 2026? Wherever we go, God is with us. When we surrender our plans and then submit to what God has in store for us, it says to Him, "Lord, I let go. Lord, I trust YOU enough to follow."
We can now look at the new, a new year, with new opportunities, new goals, new habits, new friendships, new growth. And we can be excited about it all!
Submit or Submission is my word for 2026. I want to let go of the things I shouldn't be holding on to (surrender), but I also want to TRUST Him enough to do what He says (submission).
Reflection:
Is there something you are holding on to that needs to be surrendered?
Are you ready to trust Him in where He leads, submitting to His will and purpose?
Let's do this, my friends!
In Christ,
Vickie
