As we step into 2026, many of us are looking for something better in our lives. We want better relationships, better health, better circumstances. But what if the path to “better” isn’t what we think it is? What if better isn’t found in external changes, but in something much deeper – our obedience to God?

What Does It Mean to Have God’s Word for the Year?

For several years, God has given a specific word or phrase to guide the church through each year. In 2024, it was “The Lord did it” – a declaration of faith before seeing the results. In 2025, it was “Raise the bar” – an acronym for Believe, Act, and Receive.

For 2026, the word is simply “better.” But this isn’t about getting better things – it’s about becoming better people through obedience to God.

Why Does Obedience Matter in Our Faith?

When we hear the word “obedience,” many of us automatically put up walls. We’re naturally rebellious people who don’t like being told what to do. But biblical obedience isn’t about following rules to check religious boxes – it’s about love responding to love.

Love is Better Than Law

Jesus gave us the greatest commandments: love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. These two commandments encompass all the others because genuine love naturally produces obedience.

When you truly love someone, you serve them – not out of obligation, but out of adoration. You can serve without loving, but you cannot love without serving. This is why Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

What Does Real Love Look Like?

Real love motivates us to do things that laws and rules never could. When we love God with our whole heart, we naturally won’t put other things before Him. When we love our neighbors as ourselves, we won’t steal from them, lie to them, or covet what they have.

Obedience becomes the outward showing of the feelings we have on the inside. If we have a problem with obedience, we need to do a heart check, because our actions flow from our hearts.

Why is Obedience Better Than Sacrifice?

The prophet Samuel told King Saul, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” This came after Saul partially obeyed God’s command to destroy the Amalekites. Saul kept some of the best animals and the king, planning to sacrifice the animals to God later.

But partial obedience is not obedience at all. It’s like a child who only cleans half their room when told to clean it – they haven’t truly obeyed.

What Are the Consequences of Disobedience?

Samuel told Saul that his rebellion was as bad as witchcraft, and his stubbornness was like idolatry. When we choose our way over God’s way, we make ourselves an idol in our own hearts.

Disobedience doesn’t disqualify us from God’s love, but it certainly makes life harder. It takes us out of God’s will for our lives, even though He can still work things together for good.

How Do We Live Better in 2026?

Living “better” in 2026 means improving in several key areas:

Serve Better

Every person has gifts and talents that God gave specifically to them. This year, break out of your comfort zone and use those gifts – whether in church, at work, or in daily life.

Talk Better

Let everything you say be good and helpful, encouraging to those who hear. Clean up your language and speak words that build up rather than tear down.

Walk Better

Lead a life worthy of your calling. Walk in a way that honors the fact that you’ve been called by God.

Work Better

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord, not for human masters. Give 100% effort in everything you do.

Love Better

Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Commit to loving God better than you did last year.

Witness Better

Be ready for divine appointments to share the gospel. Sometimes God opens doors in unexpected ways, just like He did for a 16-year-old girl who was asked to sit with someone at lunch and share about God.

What Can We Learn from Abraham’s Obedience?

When God told Abraham to leave his country and go to a land He would show him, Abraham simply went. This wasn’t easy – he was leaving everything familiar, including his next meal and his security.

But Abraham’s obedience led to something better. Had he said no, there would be no Israel, no lineage leading to Jesus. His “yes” to God changed everything.

How Do We Make God’s Word Central in Our Lives?

We have more access to God’s Word than any generation in history, yet many of us know less about what it says. We’ll obey our bosses, teachers, and coaches, but ignore the voice of the Lord.

It’s hard to obey God’s Word if we don’t know what it says. Make reading the Bible a daily habit. Consider joining a Bible reading plan that takes you through the entire Bible in a year.

Life Application

This week, commit to making obedience to God a priority in your life – not out of religious obligation, but out of love for Him. Choose one area where you know God has been speaking to you and take a step of obedience.

Ask yourself these questions:

 

  • Do I love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind?
  • Am I loving my neighbor as myself, or is there strife and conflict in my relationships?
  • Am I living a life of obedience to God and His Word out of love for Him?
  • What is one area where I need to step out of my comfort zone in obedience to God?

 

 

Remember: something better is waiting on the other side of your obedience. When you say yes to God, even when it’s uncomfortable or challenging, you position yourself to receive all that He has for you. Better isn’t just about getting better things – it’s about becoming the person God created you to be through loving obedience to Him.