Leave Your Old Ways Behind and Step into Something New in 2026

New year, new chances. Here’s how to let God write your story in 2026...

​Do you love a good story? As a screenwriter, I think a lot about story and character. The best stories show transformational change as the hero goes on a journey, leaving their old ways behind to walk into something new. Every choice they make either takes them closer to their new self – or sends them off on a rabbit trail farther from their future.
 
Life is like that, with our choices determining our destiny. We can choose to stay in our old ways... or take a risk to walk into something new. It begins with trusting God with our life story.
 
God Has a Plan for Your Life
 
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6
 
God has a good plan for your life! He is the master storyteller and He has an expected outcome for your life. A “happy ending” in eternity – yes – but there’s so much more! If you only hope for the eternal, you’ll miss the wonderful life He has for you right here, right now.
 
God will guide you – if you will trust Him. If you listen closely, you can hear Him calling... 
 
Jesus is Calling
One day, Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew casting their nets into the sea. Jesus called out to them, inviting them to become fishers of men:
 
“‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people.’” (Matthew 4:19 NLT)
 
Peter and Andrew were fishermen. Their father was a fisherman, and they probably expected their sons to follow in their footsteps and take on the family business. But God was calling them to something new. Something more. All they had to do was respond to the call!
 
The amazing thing is – when Jesus called them, there was no hesitation, no deliberation, and no need to write a list of the pros and cons. He called and they followed.
 
Longing for More
Something in their hearts yearned for more. We can only speculate, but biblical accounts help us understand that many Jewish people of the day were looking for the promised Messiah. They longed for the revelation of the One who would save them and free them from Roman oppression.
 
In light of that, Peter and Andrew’s seemingly rash move to drop all and follow Jesus wasn’t hasty at all. This was what they had been waiting for their entire life. They didn’t know what the future held, but they were ready to say yes. 
 
Despite the unknown, they were eager to leave behind their old life, their old ways... and become something new. Fishers of men. A new identity, a life beyond the familiar that they knew so well – all with one bold step as they responded to the call and stepped into their future. 
 
What’s in Your Future?
What do you long for? Do you want it badly enough to leave the familiar “old ways” behind to step into the unknown?
 
It’s easy to fall back on your conditioned responses to life and to people – those old ways of acting or thinking that actually keep you stuck in the past. It takes courage to step away from what’s familiar. Just as Peter and Andrew found the courage to leave the old behind, you can too. Your courage comes from your faith in the One who calls you by name.
 
Let God Write Your Story
 
“You chart the path ahead of me...” Psalm 189:3
 
Jesus is still calling. God is still writing your story. Every day, you have an opportunity to respond and seize the chance to become the “someone” God has in mind... the person you always hoped to be but hardly dared to become. The life you always longed for – that can only be found when you let go of the old and embrace the new.
 
The future may seem daunting. The next step may feel like a freefall. But you’ll never go wrong when you choose to trust God with your future and follow Jesus. 
 
Here’s a prayer you can pray:
 
“God, I put my trust in You and I ask you to guide me into the good future you have for me. Help me to lay down the old ways that are holding me back. Give me courage to be someone new. Write my life story, God. I choose to follow you. In Jesus’ name, amen!
 

​Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash