Brothers and Sisters,

 

As we go to work or about our day, we spend a lot of time looking at the stacks of paper on our desk—calendars, to-do lists, and reminders of the many "duties" we all feel pressed to fulfill. Life has a way of becoming incredibly cluttered, doesn't it? We spend so much energy worrying about our reputations, our status, and the noise of a world that is constantly changing.

 

In the quiet of my office, I found myself returning to the final words of the Preacher in Ecclesiastes. 

 

 

There is a profound relief in that phrase. In a world that demands a thousand different things from us, the Bible narrows it down to just one: "Fear God, and keep His commandments..." When we talk about "fearing" God, we aren't talking about being afraid. We’re talking about a deep, resonant respect; the kind that makes all our other anxieties seem small by comparison. This is the "...whole duty of man." It isn't a burden; it's a boundary that protects our peace. When we focus on this one thing, the other "duties" of life — our jobs, our stresses, our social pressures — finally start to fall into their proper places.

 

 

The Preacher concludes, by reminding us, that "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing..." At first glance, that can feel intimidating. But I see it as a beautiful promise of validation. It means that the kindness you showed when no one was looking, the prayer you whispered in the middle of the night, and the integrity you kept when it would have been easier to compromise—none of it is lost.

 

In 2026, my hope for you is that you feel the freedom of this "conclusion." You don’t have to solve every problem or please every person. You only need to walk faithfully in the light of the One who sees everything, and loves you completely.

 

Let’s make this the year we stop overcomplicating our faith, and start living out the "whole duty" with joy and simplicity!