Happy 2026! After some vacation time, The Up Daily Devotional is back to your email inboxes and social media and podcast feeds five mornings a week.

Let me also say welcome to the new subscribers who have joined us over the past few weeks!

Okay, here we go:

As we look upon the next twelve months, I have an idea I’d like to share, especially at this time of year when we tend to re-evaluate our priorities…

Live an ordinary Christian life well.

I know, seems strange. In fact, since we live in such a sensationalistic age, “ordinary” often feels like the enemy. No one wants to be ordinary. Isn’t that boring? Won’t it mean that no one will notice me? 

In the world of entertainment, people tend to pay attention to whatever is craziest. In the world of news, people tend to pay attention to whatever is most vile, bloody and shocking. In the realm of relationships, people tend to pay attention to whatever is full of gossip or sexually suggestive.

However, “ordinary” Christian practices are God-ordained places of grace and power.

What if, in the coming year, you did these five things well:

-Read the Bible every day
-Pray every day
-Go to church every Sunday
-Grow your character
-Serve others

Sure, if you trust God and follow Jesus long enough, you’re going to see and be a part of some pretty exceptional things. But 95% of the time an “ordinary” Christian life will be the most significant, meaningful and powerful thing you will ever do.

Romans 12:12 is telling: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Hmm. Doesn’t sound very exciting. But these are the kinds of things that show we are growing in Christ, even when our lives don’t feel very newsworthy.

Who will you be in 2026?

Do “ordinary” things well. And watch the kingdom flourish in your community, in your church, and in your soul.

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Notes:

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.