Journeys 1-7-07

Journeys 1-7-07

Its got to happen some time. We can’t just keep going and going. At some point, the ongoing movement of time has got to stop to tuck the past away before looking to the future. On modern times, we call this break in the time-space continuum the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Modern media gives us, “the best of 2006” in as many forms as possible before we launch into 2007. This year the break was accentuated by the snowstorm that stopped most sane people from going anywhere on New Year’s Eve anyway.

The danger of stopping in the dead of winter (of course) is that its hard to get going again. You’re tired from scooping snow. The college football bowl games aren’t done yet. So it’s hard to squint toward the horizon of the New Year and think about the future.

What is there to look forward to in this new year? What do you expect to do in 2007? Of all your dreams, which ones will come true this year?

In this yearly transition time we call January, I invite you to try out an old religious concept called “Discernment.” Discernment is simply making an extra effort to listen. Listen for God’s direction for you in this new year. Take extra time to listen in prayer, or, through the reading of a different psalm every day or a chapter of a gospel. Put chunks of silence before and after the scriptures. Use all your senses to absorb from God how your gifts can be used to do what God wants this year.

What does God want you to do/be for your family this year? Who does God want you to serve? What hidden gift does God want you to pull out and use this year? What ancient sore in your soul does God want to help heal this year?

January is the time to ask these questions. We’ll spend the rest of the year listening for the answers.

Grace & Peace,