Happy 2026 New Year! Another year, another chance, another clean slate to start over. You ready? Ready or not, time and the new season waits for no one.
The resolutions are in. Gyms are at over capacity, diets have resumed, alcohol has stopped flowing, at least for some, and others have a new word or new phrase.
In my case, I don’t do resolutions. I strive to live up to my resolutions every day. What I did was pray for a word of the year. Last year, 2025, my word was transparency. What you see is what you get, being open and honest, and standing up for what is right and truthful. And so, without further ado, my word for 2026 is Closure.
Closure is a noun that generally refers to the act or process of bringing something to an end, conclusion, or completion. It can be used in various contexts to describe the formal conclusion of an event, process, or situation. Whether referring to the resolution of a legal matter, the closing of a business, or the end of a personal chapter, closure signifies the achievement of an endpoint or a sense of finality.
Closure comes from the Latin claus (“shut”), hence the word, Close. It also comes from Old French clos- (past participle stem of clore “to shut, to cut off from”), 12c., from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere “to shut, close; to block up, make inaccessible; put an end to; shut in, enclose, confine”.
Closure has been used in various situations, including personal, emotional, business, and conflict resolution, as well as in health contexts.
As I prayed for a new word in 2026, all that kept coming up was “Closure”. It hasn’t made sense until recently. Closure is an ending of something, a coming-full-circle-moment. How would that apply to me? Would I be closing/completing something in my life, or would something be coming into fruition?
I began pondering this conundrum. Maybe I’ll pray for another word? Oh my goodness! Maybe it’s the end of my writing career; my last publication was in December 2023 with my Christian Dystopian, The Rekindler. Oh boy, honestly, I have feared that because I haven’t written any new stories in a long time, only blog posts.
Panic began to set in. It seemed as if everything was being taken away from me, until clarity enveloped me like a cloud floating through a bright blue sky. I felt a sense of comfort, security, and peace. In the Bible, God often shut in or closed doors and situations for protective reasons. For example:
- In the Noah’s Ark story, in Genesis 7:16, the Lord “shut him in.” Noah and his family, that is, in the Ark they built because the flood was coming. This signifies finality and God’s protection over them.
- In the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:10 when the five wise virgins entered the wedding, and the door was shut, leaving the remaining five foolish virgins outside. This symbolized the finality of grace that the Lord had given them and the urgent need for spiritual readiness.
- In the story of the Church of Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-8, Jesus claims to hold “the key of David, who opens and no one shuts, and shuts, and no one opens”. This signifies Jesus’ ultimate authority over our spiritual opportunity and access. Jesus is our high priest.
There are probably more examples, but I hope you get the picture. Many Christians today, and those who claim to be Christians, speak of their faith as a religion or a legalistic doctrine. But, it’s more than that. Faith is sprinkled throughout all 66 Books of the Bible. Faith isn’t a religion; it’s having a relationship with the One True King, Jesus Christ.
When I think of my new word for the year, Closure, I find myself wanting to be shut in with the Lord. Consumed by Him. Relying on Him through my flawed faith. This is a relationship! I’m not looking for religion to cover me. I want an intimate connection with Jesus. And, the only way that I can get into this new year is to:
- Consecrate myself, shed and remove all that stuff clinging to me from past years.
- Seek the Lord’s face, pray consistently and specifically,
- Be silent and listen to God’s voice when He speaks,
- Obey at once when summoned by Him and His calling on my life, just like the past prophets,
- Open the Word of God, and read His Words, which are still relevant today.
Closure may be a means to an end, but at least for me, it’s the walk around the barn moment, and where I need to be focusing my time and energy throughout this 2026 year. That is, in closure with Him! Him only! Being enclosed, encircled, and encamped by Him, leaving all distractions and things that don’t matter behind. (Romans 8:28)
What’s your word of the year? Drop me a line and let me know.
Until then…
Be well. Be safe. Be happy!
References:
https://definitiongo.com/closure/
https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/closure
https://www.etymonline.com/word/closure
Photo by Life Of Pix: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brass-colored-metal-padlock-with-chain-4291/
