REFLECTIONS TO BEGIN THE YEAR
As I sit at my desk writing this morning, on this, the first day of 2026, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude as I reflect on God’s Word, and God’s work in my life.
What a different man sits here today than the man I was, just beginning to follow Christ in December of 1975. God has brought about so many wonderful changes in my life over these last 50 years.
I read in Proverbs this morning—only fools despise discipline. What a procrastinator I used to be. What an undisciplined man I was. I remember vividly in high school never bringing a book home to do homework. If I couldn’t get it done during school hours, I just didn’t bring it home. I hated studying. I refused to do the required term paper, waiting till the night before it was due. Then I bought a folder at the store, put a title page inside, and handed it in so as to get an F instead of a zero. I passed the class with a B because of my reading comprehension skills alone.
Today, I can’t imagine being the man I used to be. I love discipline. It’s become my way of life. When I rise, when I go to bed, when I pray, when I read, when I exercise, what I eat, how I do my ministry work, how I do my finances—It is all done in a highly disciplined manner. My disciplined routines are the primary secret to my entire life.
As a young man I gave no thought to saving or fiscal discipline. I earned it, I spent it. I loved Mountain Dew, Pizza Hut pizza, Hostess Twinkies, BBQ Potato chips. My mom would encourage me to save a little every week, but I ignored her advice. What a different man I am now. I refuse to eat the kinds of junk I used to eat. I refuse to waste my money. I can’t imagine living without savings, and find every way I can to save a little more whenever possible. I discovered the incredible freedom, fulfillment, and empowerment that comes from a disciplined life.
Reading in Psalms this morning—I will never forget your commandments, for you have used them to restore my joy and health, I’m reminded how treasuring and following God’s commands has brought me joy and health. My life used to be so emotionally down as a young man. My thoughts were negative and oppressive. I was an ungrateful man, and a grumbler at heart. Pessimistic in many ways. Today, It’s hard for me to imagine that man. Dumping on God in prayer has saved my emotional and mental health more times that I can begin to count. Praying to God every day has literally saved my health from a breakdown, and given me vibrant mental and emotional health. Daily expressive gratitude to God has brought such joy to my heart, and greatly enhanced my mental, emotional, and physical health.
My goodness, how much my marriage has changed from 1979 to 2026, all because of remembering and obeying the commands of God. Our marriage is healthy and meaningful today because we treasured God’s commands to us, and because we each disciplined ourselves to obey them over and over again.
As you head into this New Year, I urge you to reflect on how God’s Word and God’s work has changed your life. But also consider how much more is possible if you would love discipline, and treasure even more, God’s commands to you.
May 2026 be a tremendous year between you and God!
Helping you become a Strong Disciple,
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Mark Darling
