Why In All Things?

Plans for 2026 and the heart behind this Substack

Photo by Dayne Topkin on Unsplash

Names are important. They contribute to our first impression of something, they allude to what a thing represents, they can make or break whether we engage with said thing. This is true online as much as anywhere else.

I started my first blog on Wordpress in 2012 (now long deleted!) named Jacob I Have Loved. I remember being deeply moved after reading Lance Lamberts book of the same title, feeling awed by the unconditional love of God. Believing that He chose me to know Him, and decided to lavish his love on me despite my brokenness. What kind of love is this?

It was the catalyst I needed to write publicly. So with the name settled I began to write about the goodness of God, evangelism, and how He was working in my life.

Fast forward to 2017, a marriage and two babies later. I was drained, sleep deprived and lonely. I needed an outlet desperately and the pull to create was strong. I knew I wanted to write again, to share my writing with others and find creative community. But the question held me back; what do I name it? I wanted to write about God— but I also wanted to write about creativity, and books, and art, and music, and poetry and…the list went on.

Unable to decide on a name, I jotted my ideas in a random journal and moved on with my life. Hosting a blog on a website was expensive anyway, I reasoned. Why waste time paying for something that probably wouldn’t amount to anything?

Writers don’t need much help procrastinating about writing…I am no exception.

But the sense of God’s call to write and create persisted. When I finally decided to just start in March 2023, I came across Substack. A free platform for writers that looked professional and was easy to navigate. I had no more excuses and had begun to realise this obvious truth; the call to write was not about me, it was about God. It was about serving Him with the gifts he had given, not simply a means of self-expression. It was about experiencing the peaceful reward that comes with being faithful.

The title ‘In All Things’ came to mind quickly this time, a reference to verses of Scripture I often return to when I need to ground myself in truth:

‘He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
For everything was created by him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and by him all things hold together.’ —Colossians 1: 15-17 (CSB) emphasis mine.

These stunning verses reveal so much. They are a wake up call for the heart and soul.

I wanted to write about creativity—all things were created by Him. I wanted to centre what I wrote in Christ—He is before all things. I wanted a reason to write that surpassed selfish goals, a reason to keep coming back to the page even when life seemed to be getting harder and harder—He holds all things together.

It was such a relief!

Then other verses came to mind:

‘In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.’ —Hebrews 1:2

For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. —Hebrews 2:10

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hands. —John 3:35

In 2026 by the grace of God I will continue to write. I will write of goodness, truth and beauty which finds its beginning and end in Christ. I want to remain focused on my why and the heart behind this Substack. I want to keep writing and growing in the craft, to be a rich source of encouragement for anyone who stumbles across this newsletter in the internet wild.

Dear reader, take a moment today to pause and remember God. He is before everything in your life. The good, the bad and the ugly. Think about your hopes and fears for this year, then remind yourself that Christ will hold it all together. He will hold you and your family together as you trust in Him. Your very existence right now, the fact that you made it to 2026 is through Him and for Him. Your life is in His capable hands.

In those moments of conflict, chaos or pain, closing your eyes and saying a simple breath prayer ‘Lord Jesus, You are before all things. In You all things hold together’ will work wonders for your sanity! Let’s commit to praying this through the year together.

I praise God for His immense kindness and faithfulness to me and my family in 2025. The year has passed like a whirlwind of ups and downs. As many older stalwarts of the faith would say “through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come!”. His faithfulness will never end. My salvation and eternity with Him is secure.

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I have significant changes looming in 2026; house moves, church moves, job changes, postgraduate studies, children starting new schools (and these are just the things I know about in advance!) As I write, I live daily with the discomfort of uncertainty, staring into the unknown. But one thing I do know, I am not alone.

The old hymn is eternally true; I have an anchor that keeps my soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll. Fastened to the Rock which cannot move. Grounded firm and deep in the Saviours love.

Photo by John Nupp on Unsplash

A Prayer for 2026

Gracious and Holy Father, give us wisdom this year to perceive You, diligence to seek You, patience to wait for You, eyes to behold You, a heart to meditate on You and a life to proclaim You; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

St Benedict of Nursia, c.480-550

Thanks for reading, I truly appreciate you! Grace upon grace to you all.

Ishah Xx