The clean slate and lift of a new year gives an added boost of courage to begin again–especially on lifestyle changes or embedded habits where the bitter taste of failure lingers. The  brand new feeling of hope is on offer in 2026 with shining first,  second, or third chances for successful life changes and achievements.

I have never really liked committing to new year resolutions, but I do love the gift from heaven of the mercy of a new day and even better a whole year that stretches before me, as pristine as freshly fallen snow upon a meadow, ready to mold into the most profitable and successful way. Alternatively, I have been big on getting just a single word of direction or overarching purpose for the 12 months ahead.

In past years, some have been words like enlarge, destiny, kindness, rest, intentionality, occupy, etc. It has always been fun at the end of the year to look back and remember that guiding light of one word that has led me through the winding pathways of many, many days, weeks, and months of ups and downs.

Yesterday while exercising, I had worship music on which was lifting my spirit far above the static movement of my incumbent bike – – I was soaring with thanksgiving and praise for so many past blessings and for the hope of the new year. I wasn’t even asking for that one word for a new season. I was getting ready to ask–and serendipitously, the Lord spoke before I asked–which melted my heart entirely.

Three words…”He made peace…” and suddenly, I became a puddle of cleansing tears. 

I felt the weight of–not just last year leave my mind, soul, spirit, and body–but the weight of the last half-dozen years. 

What hell we have endured. 

Such hope arose in my heart that I could envision a year of peace. Imagine? What a wonderful gift from the Father. 

Now, this peace doesnt lead down a magic pathway to end of war and strife. It’s a down deep and soaring high kind that rides the waves of change in unwavering faith and thanksgiving. 

“He made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20).

“…the chastisement of our peace was upon him…” (Isaiah 53:5).

The suffering of Jesus became the payment for our peace. 

“Yet the LORD was pleased to crush him severely” (Isaiah 53:10).

His pain forged the way to a safe haven of “letting down without worry or fret” in heart and mind–soul and body which was, before the cross, completely unknown to the world previously. 

His peace is not trite or temporal.

Jesus’s birth, death, and resurrection established peace. We are no longer at war with our Maker; we need not fear death for it was conquered at Calvary. We have power to release pain into healing streams of peace.

All the world leaders from the beginning of time have come to the table to negotiate peace–to offer trade-offs or sacrifices so there may be substantial gain of serenity and calm. At the cross, Jesus did not negotiate peace—he died for it. There was no back and forth–only surrender. 

When the Son of Man rose with the blinding light of triumph over all sin and death, the possibility of peace became concrete and tangible and final. I love that.

As I make the leap into 2026, I am resolved that peace is not across the gate of heaven. It is now, and I choose to surrender, even as Jesus–did to peace. I receive this gift in my daily life, moment by moment.

I’m indulging in a fresh look at peace, not as pause of pain and conflict, but in the Person that bought it by bruising and bleeding. 

The burden is off. I can’t manufacture peace but only remember the life giving words, “He made peace…”

It is finished. I receive a new flow of peace for 2026.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27).

Happy New Year!

Surrender to peace.