Why Before What

As church staff, we routinely spend time reflecting, reviewing the "why" we do what we do, and then setting our sights on measurable goals. If you have not already taken time to reflect on your 2025, I implore you to do so. Resist the urge to rush into the newness of 2026 with plans and goals before considering the previous 365 days you just lived.

Here are a few questions (some fun, some deep, all requiring thought) that can help get you started in reflection:

What was the best meal I ate this year?
What was the best gift I received this year?
What moments caused me to cry, to laugh, to isolate, or to rest?
What did I complain about the most this year?
What new friendship or relationship did God surprise me with this year?
What discipline or regular rhythm served me well?

What went well? What did not go well? What did I learn about myself in the areas of:

What took up more of my time than I expected?
What deserved more of my time than I gave it?
Where and when did I hear God’s voice the loudest, and why?
What did I outgrow this year?

Compressing a typical week into a few broad categories, how did I spend my 168 hours?

Who do I need to thank for their role in my life this year?

Once you prayerfully and thoughtfully work through 2025, begin looking ahead with expectation. This principle has been spoken by many people and written in many places, but it bears repeating: you must lead with your “why.” If we rush into doing certain things in the new year without a clear “why,” we will either quickly fall off the wagon for lack of motivation or (maybe worse) find ourselves succeeding at things we do not truly believe in!

Author and speaker Simon Sinek shared insight in one of the most viewed TED Talks of all time, which birthed a helpful diagram called “The Golden Circle.” The idea is simple: start with the inside and move outward.

As you think about this new year beginning with a Holy-Spirit-guided "why" here are a few verses that may shape how you live and what you pursue this year:

Paul writes to the Corinthian church, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1

Jesus encourages his followers to abide/remain in Him saying, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.”
John 15:16

A moment by moment reminder to not act, think, do out of our own understanding, rather: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5–6

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Colossians 3:23

And the Shema (Hebrew meaning "hear") of Jesus reminding us to pursue this all-in life with Christ: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:37

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we walk into 2026 knowing YOU are where true joy, lasting satisfaction, and rescuing grace is found. We ask that you'd remind us of your Spirit's guiding presence. We are comforted by your last recorded words in scripture when you say "Surely I am coming soon." (Rev. 22:20a) We long for your return! We look forward to that day! And we want our whole lives to be lived with anticipation! We agree with the last words John writes in the Bible, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen." (Rev. 22:20b-21)