In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:7

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:13-14

For several weeks now I’ve seen social media posts about having a word of the year. I’ve been in churches where we had a theme for the year, but doing so personally was a new concept for me. We are 7 days into the new year, and nothing has come to mind or to heart. What I do know is the Lord wants me to be more diligent in my prayer and Bible reading. I know that I want this year to count for my Jesus, and I know what He has called me to do right now. I know I want to keep healing, and drawing closer to my Savior. Though I may not have found a “word” I see the clear path the Lord wants me to take today. I will walk with Jesus today, and leave tomorrow up to Him.

In my contemplation about 2026, the phrase “Walking Redeemed” came to mind. A dear friend just recently passed, and I was thinking about what it would be like to live each day as if it was my last. The day to day stuff that irritated me, seemed so small compared to eternity. The burdens of life, the attacks from the enemy, the brokenness from the past often gets the best of me.

I want to claim the promises of God as my own, to live in his love, mercy, and grace, to take on the armer of God daily, and to walk redeemed. Jesus gave me a bright hope for tomorrow and all eternity. I want to live it every single day! This doesn’t mean the scars are gone, it doesn’t mean nothing has to bother me ever again. But it does mean that no matter what happens, I want to follow rest in the fact that nothing takes God by surprise. He’s got me. No matter what happens, He will work everything out for my good and His glory. I may not see it in this life, but I need to trust that no matter what, for He’s got a purpose for the things that I go through.

My challenge for you is to look up the wonderful promises of God and claim them as your own! Live in the wonderful fact that Jesus gave us a bright hope for eternity, with His finished work on the cross. Let your heart swell with joy knowing that in the end Jesus wins! This doesn’t mean everything will be just peachy. The heartaches of this world aren’t promised to be taken from us. But we can rest in the fact that Jesus redeemed us, we are one of his, and he has us every step of the way. Let us trust and obey Him!