Jacob Robertson

I can’t be the only one who loses track of what day it is between Christmas and New Year’s. Time feels suspended during those days—neither one year nor the next. It’s a liminal space, a stretch of time that almost seems to exist outside the calendar altogether. Yet in this space, I am reminded to reflect—to consider the year that has passed, acknowledging God’s faithfulness and steadfast love in my life. As the last days of 2025 are marked off, I want to look back, just as the Israelites recounted God’s provision for them as they wandered in the wilderness. But I also want to look forward with anticipation to what 2026 may hold, remembering that true significance doesn’t lie in the date on the calendar. Following Christ isn’t about a new year resetting our lives—it’s about walking faithfully day by day, trusting Him in the ordinary moments, and remaining attentive to the ways He is at work in every season.

Remembering God’s Faithfulness in 2025

Physical Health – Perhaps I witnessed God’s faithfulness most clearly through my health. This year, I experienced several medical episodes that quickly exhausted my health insurance deductible. I am very grateful for the provision of strong, employer-subsidized insurance and for reaching my out-of-pocket maximum early in the year—a mercy in itself. While I am still walking through the process of understanding the cause of these medical emergencies, the Lord has been faithful to provide all that I’ve needed, not only financially, but also through a gracious and supportive community around me.

Vocation – Another clear expression of God’s goodness in my life this past year has been the work He has entrusted to me. Serving with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) through the Send Network has been a true blessing. I was offered this role in November 2024—just over a year ago. Since then, I’ve realized how the Lord has placed me at the intersection of my gifts, passions, and ministry context, allowing me to serve within a space that feels both familiar to me (local church ministry) and purposeful (care for church planters).

Travel – 2025 marked a significant step forward in travel for me, taking me to four countries I had never been to before: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Each place was unique in its own way, yet they all run together (I’m thankful I took a gazillion photos). In Finland, I was struck by the robust economy and the contrast between Helsinki’s bustling city center and the stillness of the Old Town. A highlight of my travels was visiting a Christian church in a small community outside Riga, Latvia, where I experienced firsthand a local church that was both ordinary and extraordinary—simple worship, intentional fellowship, and joy rooted not in comfort but in steadfast devotion. Connecting with followers of Jesus 5,000 miles from home was truly memorable, and reminded me that Christ’s Church is indeed global.

Looking Forward to 2026

I’m not a fan of establishing New Year’s Resolutions, but I’ve benefited from outlining some basic goals for myself to achieve during the next 365 days. For example, one of my goals for 2025 was to read 25 books. Not a resolution, but an attainable goal that I felt I could accomplish — to continue educating myself and to be equipped to pour into others. As of this writing, I made my way through and completed 20 books. A little shy of my goal, but I still feel a great sense of accomplishment having achieved this goal.

Goal: read 26 books in 2026
Next year, I want to read 26 books. My hope isn’t just to finish the pages but to let each one stretch my thinking, challenge me, and feed both my mind and my soul. I want a mix of theology, history, and fiction, allowing me to grow intellectually, spiritually, and culturally. Reading is a way to explore new ideas, learn, and relax, while also sharpening the lens through which I see the world.

Goal: engage those around me
I want the next 365 days to be marked with a more intentional spirit of connecting with the people around me—neighbors, church members, coworkers, and friends. I hope this goal helps me move from presence to participation, from observation to active connection. This is a hard one for me. If you know me, you know how introverted I am. This one’s going to take some work.

Goal: improve my writing
Writing has always been a way for me to clarify my thoughts, reflect on life, and communicate truth. In the next 365 days, I want to push myself to write more intentionally and consistently—whether it’s for ministry, personal reflection, or public sharing. This goal is about honing my voice, experimenting with style, and learning to convey ideas with clarity. I hope improving my writing will not only strengthen how I communicate but also deepen my thinking and discipline in reflecting on God’s work in my life.

Goal: find ways to enjoy exercise
Exercise has often (read always) felt like a chore, but I want the next 365 days to be a period of time where I discover ways to move my body that bring joy, not just obligation. This likely will mean connecting physical activity to time in creation. I’ve got my eye on some hiking I would like to do. My hope is that I can cultivate a healthier body while also enjoying the process, seeing it as part of stewardship of the life and energy God has given me rather than just a task to check off. I pray for the energy and motivation to make this goal a reality.

Tomorrow is Another Day to Follow Christ

Humans place great significance on the moment between one year and the next (count it down! 10, 9, 8…). New Year’s celebrations will take place all across the globe tonight, as if the flip of a calendar could reset everything. Time is perhaps the most unifying aspect of life—we all experience it, relentlessly and equally. Yet while the change of a date can feel momentous, tomorrow is simply another day, like today.

The question is how we live in the days we are given, regardless of where we are on the calendar. Following Christ doesn’t begin when the clock strikes 12:01 AM—it begins here, now, in the ordinary rhythms of life. Each day is an opportunity to walk faithfully and obey God’s call. Don’t get caught up in the “New Year, New You” philosophy that society promotes. True transformation happens in the small, consistent choices to trust and follow Him, day by day, moment by moment. Life unfolds in the ordinary moments between the years, not just at the stroke of midnight.