This Year, Let’s Start

“Obedience is the fruit of faith; it always begins with a single step.” Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest)

Happy New Year, Men! The year 2026 has begun. If you’re like me, last year feels like a blur, and this year feels like a long list of to-do items. Some of us have resolutions or goals. Some of us are overwhelmed by the thought of starting anything new. But almost all of us share the same desire—we want to be better men than we were last year.

I recently finished Lead Every Day by Mark Miller, and one idea has stuck with me: big changes aren’t reserved for big moments or formal titles—they happen in ordinary, daily choices by ordinary people. We don’t become better men by waiting for the perfect plan or the right season. We become better by taking responsibility today. We just start.

I love the story of Nehemiah. After the Babylonian exile, Jerusalem lay in ruins. Nehemiah, a Jewish exile serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, heard the news and was deeply burdened. He prayed, fasted, and asked God for favor. When the king noticed, Nehemiah boldly requested permission and resources to rebuild. God granted him success.

Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, assessed the damage, and then rallied the people to rebuild. Despite opposition, ridicule, threats, and internal discouragement, they worked with determination—tools in one hand, weapons in the other. The wall was completed in just 52 days, showing that God’s help, not human strength alone, made the work possible.

After the wall, spiritual renewal followed. Ezra read the Law publicly, the people repented, worshiped, and renewed their covenant with God. Nehemiah continued reforming the community, addressing compromise, neglect, and disobedience.

Nehemiah saw something that needed to be better—and he started. He took a first step. Then another. He picked up a hammer and hit the first nail. Then another.

What do you need to “just start” this year?

For me, I started The Bible Recap with my wife, Paige. It’s a guided chronological reading plan to read the Bible in a year. The idea of the whole Bible in a year is daunting—but I just had to start the first day’s reading (some do it in two years).

I’ve also started training for a race later this year. There was a first workout I had to show up for—not knowing how far I could go, how all the pieces would fit together, or if I would ever breath normal again. But I took a first step (see what I did there??).

Maybe, like me, God is calling you to spend more time in His Word. Maybe it’s to spend less time on things that feel like are wasting your day. Maybe it’s to break an addiction, lose a few pounds, or even tackle something monumental. Or just maybe you need to register for the Men’s Bible Study that starts next week. None of these things happen without a start.

Throughout Scripture—and in our own lives—God builds big things through men who start small through big obedience. We don’t change the world by having ideas. We change it though starting and by saying “Yes” to what God is calling us to. I invite you to not miss out on what He is asking you to start.

Want to be consistent in Scripture? Just start.

Want to lead your family spiritually? Just start.

Want to grow in health, integrity, or discipline? Just start.

You don’t need to see the whole wall rebuilt tomorrow. But you do need to pick up the hammer.