I began last year with a practice I hope to continue going
forward. I selected a Biblical figure to be a role model for me for the year.
In 2025, I focused on Simeon (Luke 2:25-35). His spiritual work was literally
to wait for God to act. Looking to him as an example, I decided to develop waiting
as a spiritual discipline. I had no idea this practice would be so important for
me in 2025, but it became clear as my mother, siblings, and I waited at our
dad’s deathbed. We prayed and waited for God to call him home, and God did. We
grieved but also rejoiced because Dad lived a full, blessed life. Like Simeon,
God released dad into everlasting peace.
Waiting, as a spiritual practice, will continue to be
important for me. To this discipline, I add trustworthiness in the New
Testament sense of the idea. Many in the Bible exemplify this value. For 2026,
Titus will be my example.
Titus was a trusted co-worker of Paul. He accepted Paul’s
authority but also held Paul’s trust. Paul left the church in Crete in Titus’
capable hands (Titus 1:5). Titus was also a key emissary for Paul in Corinth.
Paul’s relationship with that congregation was fraught with tension.
Titus reassured Paul that the Corinthians did indeed love
him (2 Corinthians 7:6). He was just as concerned as Paul was about that
church. Because so much of the New Testament was written by Paul, we don’t hear
testimony from Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, or Titus. Each one was as much a
leader in the early church as Paul. Each cared for the churches as Paul did.
Paul reports that Titus was filled with joy when he encountered the
Corinthians’ repentant attitude (2 Cor. 7:13).
Paul also craved Titus’ approval. “Just as everything we
said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has proved true as well” (2 Cor.
7:14). Paul told Titus how great the Corinthian congregation was, despite its
struggles. He needed Titus to see this. He needed his friend to confirm his own
testimony, and Titus did.
I want to be like Titus. I want to be trustworthy. I want
to be well-grounded in my own thought and vision that other ministry leaders
trust me with their ideas and ask what I think. I want to be entrusted with
ministry responsibility, as Titus was. He will be my 2026 faith role model.
I encourage you, in 2026, to select someone from the
Bible who models faith in the way you would like to live it. Last year, and
again this year, I chose lesser-known characters. If you prefer a more
high-profile individual like Hannah or Mary, or Peter or John, that’s fine. I
find great joy in meeting God in those quiet, background people.
How ever you choose to do it, pick a Biblical role model
for 2026. Identify characteristics of that person and then try to live out
those values in your life. I am not trying to become Titus. I do want to be
trusted as Titus was trusted. I want to be a faithful disciple of Jesus as he
was.
