First, I would like to quote something Pastor Rick Warren once said: “We cannot create the waves, but when the waves come, we must know how to seize the moment in order to ride them.” Recently, this statement has reminded me again, and I want to remind brothers and sisters as well. We cannot create a spiritual wave. But when the Holy Spirit is at work, we must have spiritual sensitivity to discern it and respond promptly. Otherwise, the water will flow past us without leaving any lasting effect. This is the first reminder.

Second, at this very moment, the Holy Spirit is stirring a wave in our church. I deeply sense that He is working among us, urging us, for God’s glory and for His pleasure, to live lives set apart and wholly consecrated to Him. In this year’s New Year conference message, I did not focus on personal comfort or emotional encouragement. Instead, I spoke from God’s perspective about offering ourselves as living sacrifices and living out the Christian life and service according to His will. The response and hunger among many brothers and sisters have been evident. I believe this is not the power of the message itself, but the work of the Holy Spirit.

I hope we can recognize and respond together to what the Spirit is doing—calling us to love the Lord Jesus more deeply, to offer ourselves to God, and to live truly set-apart lives. Just as the inscription on the priest’s turban read, “Holy to the Lord.” Though we do not wear such a mark outwardly, may this become a visible characteristic of our lives, so others can see that we belong to Him. Whether Nazarites or priests, “Holy to the Lord” was the defining mark of their lives. May this also become a defining mark of our church this year. We must also acknowledge that it is not easy for one person to walk the path of consecration alone for long. Isolation often leads to weakness or even giving up. Yet the Holy Spirit is raising up many companions among us—many who are of one heart toward the Lord. I believe this is a spiritual current, a wave led by the Spirit. We must not only seize the opportunity but also clearly understand and follow the current direction of His work.

Third, how can our resolve to “offer ourselves and live for God” continue and grow stronger? Experience tells us that renewed consecration without a firm foundation often fades over time. God has truly moved among us and stirred many hearts, and for that we are grateful. But if we are to go far and steadily, even growing stronger as we go, one key is that our consecration must be directed straight toward God. It must not be merely involvement in activities, nor the result of peer pressure or temporary emotion. It must rest on a simple and unwavering motive—to please God alone.

When we live this way, a deep and inexpressible sense of glory arises within, because the direction of our life is wholly toward Him. At the same time, we experience joy that comes from belonging to the Lord and obeying Him. I hope every brother and sister can personally taste this joy. True joy cannot rest merely on the atmosphere of meetings, the quality of messages, or the sweetness of fellowship. These are blessings, but not the source. The source must be God Himself. As Scripture says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). A person can continue on the path of consecration without compromise because they live in God’s pleasure and walk according to His will. This joy born of obedience must be experienced and continually deepened.

When such a life is echoed among many companions, I believe the testimony of loving the Lord and living for Him will be rekindled in the church. Just as Daniel and his three friends, though few in number in Babylon, became shining lights in the darkness and displayed God’s glory in a desolate age. Today, we have many fellow companions. If we rely together on the Holy Spirit, this year will surely be different from any before.

Therefore, I sincerely encourage every brother and sister to establish a strong and simple relationship of consecration with God. Such consecration—strong, pure, and directed toward Him—can continue forward even when others grow weak. In this new year, may we rely on the Holy Spirit together and make 2026 a truly special year.

— Compiled from Brother Yu’s sharing at the Prayer Meeting