It’s a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Why? Because We’re One Year Closer to the Kingdom.
One of my all-time favorite Christian song composers is Lanny Wolfe. He wrote several beautiful songs that so clearly communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many of his songs are so encouraging because they exuberantly tell of that glorious Day when Jesus will return for the second and final time to set up His kingdom on earth. Then, all crime, violence, sin, sickness, disease, suffering, and death will be forever ended – and God will be all in all. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
One of my favorite joyful and encouraging songs Lanny wrote concerning that coming Great Day is entitled, “One Day Closer.” Here are the lyrics:
“I’m just one day closer to the Kingdom,
That makes every day better than the day before.
I can make it through the day – knowing that tomorrow
I’ll be one day closer to the shore.
“Sometimes it seems that I can’t take another step,
And I want to stop and rest just a little while.
But then I feel that something in the air that makes me want to keep on walking,
Heaven’s getting closer with every mile.
“Just thinking that my LORD could come any day now
Gives me all the strength I need to travel on.
And if He doesn’t come today, I know, it just might be tomorrow,
So I’ll lift my head up high and sing this song.” (Lanny Wolfe)
2026 Can be Better than Any Previous Year
It behooves us to ponder the lyrics of this song. If we are living for Jesus, and are ready to meet Him when He comes, we can joyfully sing that we are “One Year closer to the Kingdom, and that makes every year better than the year before!”
One of my dear friends sent me a homemade New Year card that said, “2025 was a great year. 2026 will be even better.”
I couldn’t agree with him more – if I look at 2026 through spiritual eyes, and apply this optimistic outlook each day in my own spiritual life.
This means that regardless of the inevitable vicissitudes that 2026 will bring, daily walking with Jesus and being led by the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit will definitely bring a “Happy New Year” – come what may!
Once again, I say, for those of us who know and live for Jesus in 2026, we can be sure that we’re just “one year closer to the Kingdom, and that makes 2026 better than the year before!…And if He doesn’t come [this year], I know, it just might be [next year], so I’ll lift my head up high and sing this song!”
With love for your soul,
Your Open Door Center Church Family