Passage for Reflection: Proverbs 1:1-7
Happy New Year! I imagine that you’ve heard that greeting numerous times over the last few days. I, on the other hand, have been hearing it for months. The fiscal new year for the faith-based non-profit organization I serve started in November. Happy New Year! The church new year started with Advent. Happy New Year! And, yesterday the calendar year started. Happy New Year!
Starting a new year opens people to prayerfully pondering new possibilities. Resolutions to do more, be healthier, and change the world abound. This week is when people are going public with their commitments.
I’ll start by sharing my own preparation. Last Epiphany I received “faith” as my star word – a word intended to light my path throughout the year. It has helped remind me that faith is active and must be reaffirmed regularly. For those of us who follow the Way of Jesus, faith should be shaping our plans for 2025 (and beyond).
I wonder if this is why the book of Proverbs begins with the invitation to “start with God – the first step in learning is bowing down to God” (Proverbs 1:7a, The Message). Perhaps the first step we should take in 2025 is bowing down to God as a means of reconnecting with God, centering our faith in the present while preparing for all that is ahead.
Happy New Year siblings in Christ! I can’t wait to hear your resolutions (or to learn of your resolve to abstain from this form of goal setting). And, more importantly, I can’t wait to hear what it means for you to start with God.
This post was originally published in the Lectionary for Life Series for the Center for Congregational Ethics on January 2, 2025.