New Year, Same God
Happy New Year! Two times each year, I wrestle with the purpose of Holy Formed. Each September as the anniversary of Holy Formed rolls around I find myself asking do these weekly emails continue to serve a purpose, do they continue to be honest, encouraging, and useful to those reading, do they continue to point people to Jesus? And every year as the calendar rolls to January I find myself asking similar questions.
Sometimes, I wonder if there is anything new to say. Then, I usually remember that it isn’t about saying something new but about saying something that reminds each of us that our journeys aren’t that different. We all encounter mountains and valleys in our stories, but most of our days are lived in the ordinary spaces of our everyday lives, and that has been true for all of time.
I think part of the beauty of being in community is the reminder that God is near. We hear of God’s nearness through the stories we tell each other.
God is near when our hearts are breaking and when we are bursting with joy. And God is near when we are doing the dishes, or the laundry, or taking out the trash, or working with contractors, or making a meal for a friend in need, or shopping for groceries, or driving to work, or dealing with customer service, or, or, or - whatever your day holds. There is something about the consistency of God’s nearness in all the ordinary moments that helps us recognize God’s presence on the mountains and in the valleys too.
So, even though we are six days into the new year, I still want to offer a space today to reflect on the year that has been and the year that is now upon us. Maybe you’ve already had time to sit in this space of reflection, and if so, I’m so glad you’ve been able to carve out that time. But, maybe you are taking a deep breath today on this first Monday of a new year as you settle back into your regular rhythms and this is the first minute you’ve had to think on these questions.
If that is you, I pray this feels like an invitation rather than an obligation. May the Holy Spirit meet you in this space as you reflect on what has been and what is to come.
What parts of 2024 were life-giving to you?
Did you learn a new skill?
Did you start a new job?
Did you have more time with family?
Did you finish a project you’ve been dreaming about?
Did you read a book?
Did you rest?
What parts of 2024 were difficult to wrap your head around?
Did you experience a loss this year?
Did you experience loneliness?
Did you experience anger?
Did you experience fear?
Did you ask questions and find no answers?
What are you most looking forward to leaving behind from 2024?
What are you most hopeful about when you think about 2025?
Where did you experience growth in your walk with God in 2024?
Where do you hope to experience growth with God in 2025?
Where did you find truth, goodness, and/or beauty in 2024?
What dreams do you have for 2025?
Father God, I lift my friends to you today. As we reflect on this year and all that has transpired, please remind us of your faithfulness. Help us to remember all of the moments you met us - in our questions, in our wonder, in our worry, in our rest. Please help us to leave behind those things that will not serve us in the year to come, and please help us pick up those things that you began stirring in us to carry into the New Year. May we surrender our agenda that it may be replaced with your agenda. May your joy permeate our mind, body, and spirit, and may it radiate out of us at every turn. May we encounter you in new and fresh ways in this New Year. May we be reminded that we are your holy temple and that heaven and earth collide within each of us. May we reflect your glory and goodness into the world around us and be reminded daily that Jesus is our rock eternal, our salvation, our renewal, our redemption, and the hope of the world! Jesus, we ask that we encounter you today and every day and that each encounter would shape us to look more like you. Thank you for loving us unconditionally and for journeying with us through all of the unknowns of this life. We are so thankful that you are sovereign over all things. As we send off 2024 and welcome 2025, we look expectantly at all that you have in store for the year ahead. May we see you woven through every story. Amen!
~ Melissa