2026: Inward, Outward, Upward

As one year gives way to another, I find myself filled with both reflection and anticipation. The turn of the year brings with it a natural pause—a sacred moment to look back on what God has done and to look forward with renewed faith in what He is yet to do. This year, I have felt a stirring in my heart to approach life a little differently. To see not merely with natural eyes but with spiritual eyes attuned to God's purposes. To live each day with intentionality, guided by gratitude, compassion, and trust.

I sense the Lord calling me to focus my growth in three directions: inward, outward, and upward. These three movements form a beautiful pattern of spiritual life—an inward transformation that fuels outward ministry and is sustained by upward trust and worship. Each one is vital, and when they are in harmony, they create a rhythm of faith that glorifies God and brings true joy to the soul.

1. Inward — Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude

The first direction I want to move in is inward—to examine my heart and cultivate an attitude of gratitude. It can be easy, in the rush of daily life, to focus on what we lack or what we wish were different. But real transformation begins when we learn to see through the lens of gratitude.

Every morning, before the world crowds in with its noise and demands, I want to begin by thanking God for His blessings. This simple act is more than a morning ritual—it is a realignment of the heart. When I start each day saying, “Thank You, Lord, for all that You are and all that You've done,” I'm declaring that God's grace is greater than my circumstances. Gratitude reframes everything; it takes our attention off what we can't control and centers it on what God has already done.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Notice that he doesn't say, "Give thanks for all circumstances", but in them. Gratitude is not denial; it's a declaration. It's a way of saying, "God, I trust You enough to thank You even before I see the outcome.”

When I look inward with thankfulness, I begin to see how intricately God's hand has been at work in my life. Every open door, every closed one, every delay, every answered—or unanswered—prayer becomes part of His perfect mosaic. I realize more deeply that gratitude isn't a reaction; it's a choice. It's a discipline that shapes the way I think, speak, and act throughout the day.

So this year, I want to let gratitude be the lens through which I view life. I want to develop the habit of pausing each morning and saying: “Thank You, Lord, for another day. Thank You for Your mercy that is new every morning. Help me to live this day with a heart that honors You.”

Gratitude turns ordinary days into holy ground. It transforms obstacles into opportunities for faith. And it prepares the soil of our hearts for all that God wants to plant within us.

 I remember hearing about a man who owned a small estate and wished to sell it. Sending for a real estate agent, he asked him to write an advertisement describing the house and land.

When the ad was ready, the agent took it to the owner and read it to him. "Read that again," said the owner. The agent read the description of the estate once more. "I don't think I will sell after all," said the owner. "I have been looking for an estate like that all my life, and I did not know that I owned it!" Many times, we do not recognize how truly blessed we are.

2. Outward — Living with Eyes Open to Others

The second direction I want to grow in is outward—toward others. The Christian life was never meant to be lived in isolation. God designed us for relationship—with Him and with those around us. Jesus summarized the entire law in two commands: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39). The inward look of gratitude must naturally lead to the outward expression of love.

Too often, in the busyness of life, I walk right past moments where God might want to use me as an instrument of encouragement, healing, or hope. Yet so many of Jesus's greatest miracles happened in what seemed like interruptions. Of the 35 or so miracles recorded about Jesus, only about 20% occurred in the synagogue; about 80% occurred in the marketplace. On His way to one destination, a blind man cried out for mercy; a woman reached out to touch His garment; a child was brought to Him for healing. Jesus didn't see these moments as interruptions—He saw them as divine appointments.

That realization hits home for me. How many divine opportunities have I missed because I was too focused on my own plans? This year, I want to live with spiritual awareness—with eyes wide open to the people God places in my path. Maybe it's a friend who needs a listening ear, a coworker who's feeling unnoticed, or a stranger who needs a simple act of kindness. Every day holds opportunities to reflect God's love if only we're willing to see them.

In Galatians 6:9–10, we find an encouragement that speaks to this very idea: "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.” The keyword there is opportunity. Ministry doesn't always happen on a stage or within the walls of a church—it happens in everyday moments, in grocery aisles, on phone calls, in texts, and in simple conversations.

As part of this outward focus, I'm praying, “Lord, help me to be sensitive to those divine nudges of Your Spirit. Show me who needs encouragement today." It might be something as small as sending a message to someone I haven't spoken to in a while, writing a note of gratitude, or simply slowing down enough to give a warm greeting to the person checking me out at the store.

In Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus tells us that we are the "light of the world.” Light doesn't draw attention to itself—it reveals and illuminates what's around it. My job isn't to be impressive; it's simply to shine. I love verse 16, which says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven". To me, one of the most important words in this scripture is the word, let. I don't need to force it out, just let it out. If I am filled with God, what should be coming out of me is God and His fruit.

When I live outwardly—loving others without expectation, serving with humility, encouraging with sincerity—I reflect the character of Christ to a world that desperately needs it.

So this year, I want to make it my goal to intentionally touch at least one life each day with kindness or encouragement. It might be small, but small acts, offered in love, can ripple eternally. The more outward my focus becomes, the more I discover that joy expands in the giving.

3. Upward — Living in Daily Trust and Worship

The third and final direction is upward—toward God. Outward love flows naturally from inward gratitude, and both are sustained by an upward focus on the Lord. The verse I've chosen for this new year is Psalm 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

This verse is both a declaration and an invitation. The first part—"This is the day the Lord has made"—reminds me that every single day is a gift crafted by God's hands. The second part—"We will rejoice and be glad in it"— is my response to that gift. God gives; I choose to rejoice. His creation calls for my celebration.

There's a profound truth in that distinction. The first part concerns God's sovereignty; the second concerns my attitude. If I truly believe that God designed this day—every sunrise, every encounter, every challenge—specifically for me, then I can face it with confidence and joy, no matter what it brings.

The upward life is rooted in trust. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Trust means surrendering control—releasing my desire to chart my own course and instead allowing God to lead. It means waking up every day and saying, "Lord, You are God; I am not. You know what this day holds, and I will follow where You lead.”

Upward living also means worship—lifting my eyes from the temporary toward the eternal. Worship isn't confined to songs sung in church; it's a posture of the heart that says, "God, You are worthy.” It's expressed in how I respond to the mundane and the miraculous alike.

When I live upwardly, rejoicing becomes a choice anchored in faith, not circumstances. Even on tough days, I can declare, "This is still the day the Lord has made." Even when storms come, I can say, "God is still good." Because the joy of the Lord isn't dependent on what happens to me—it flows from who He is within me.

This kind of faith-filled living builds resilience. It reminds me that life is not random; it is redeemed. God is weaving each day into His larger plan for my life. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us of His good intentions: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” Holding that promise shapes the way I approach every sunrise and sunset. With each new day, I can rest knowing God's hand is steady, His heart is kind, and His purposes are good.

Wrapping it Up

As I seek to live differently this year—looking inward, outward, and upward—I'm reminded that these three aren't separate practices but interconnected threads in the fabric of spiritual growth.

• Inward gratitude deepens outward compassion.

• Outward compassion ignites upward praise.

• Upward praise renews inward peace.

Each direction strengthens the others, creating balance and harmony. The more I give thanks inwardly, the more I want to bless outwardly. The more I focus upward, the more my heart is renewed inwardly. This rhythm—rooted in grace, expressed through love, sustained by trust and worship—is the heartbeat of a joyous, faith-filled life.

As I step into the year ahead, I want to hold this prayer close to my heart:

“Lord, thank You for the gift of this new year. Thank You for every blessing that reminds me of Your goodness. Help me to see others as You see them—people worth loving, serving, and encouraging. Teach me to rejoice in each day You have made, even when it doesn't go as I planned.

Guide my steps, shape my heart, and keep my eyes lifted to You. May my life this year be a reflection of Your grace, as I look inward in gratitude, outward in love, and upward in faith. Amen.”

When I live this way—inwardly thankful, outwardly loving, and upwardly trusting—I find that life becomes less about striving and more about surrendering. The worries that once weighed heavy grow lighter. The blessings I once took for granted become precious reminders of God's faithfulness. And every day, no matter how ordinary, becomes a sacred invitation to experience His presence anew.

Indeed, this is the day the Lord has made—and my heart will rejoice and be glad in it.