The New Year is a time of hope, reflection, and renewal. It gives us the chance to look back on the journey we’ve traveled and to look forward to the road ahead, trusting that God walks with us every step of the way.

The New Year often prompts us to reflect on time. Some of us may be wondering, “Where did the time go?” while others may be thinking, “This past year felt like a lifetime.” For me, time is a funny construct; it’s elusive. Yet, no matter how we perceive time, it is a gift from God — every moment, every breath, every heartbeat.  

For some, the New Year can bring mixed emotions. It’s a time of new beginnings, but it can also remind us of what has changed. Perhaps you’ve faced loss over the past year — the loss of loved ones, the loss of health, or the loss of certain abilities or your identity. It’s natural to grieve these changes, and it’s okay to bring those feelings before God. 

At the same time, the New Year invites us to embrace hope. Hope is not just wishful thinking; it is a confident trust in God’s promises. 

As we step into this New Year, I want to encourage you to focus on three things: gratitude, connection, and purpose.

Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. Even in difficult times, there is always something to be thankful for. Maybe it’s the warmth of a kind word, the reliable beauty of a sunrise, or the joy of a shared laugh.  By shifting the focus, we cultivate hearts of gratitude, giving thanks to God for God’s many blessings.

Humans were created for being in relationship — with God and with one another. In this New Year, let’s seek to strengthen our connections. Maybe it’s reaching out to a friend or family member, offering a listening ear, or sharing a kind gesture with someone here in this community. Stronger connections equal a stronger community.  

Finally, purpose. God has a purpose for each of our lives, no matter our age or circumstances, no matter our socioeconomic status or race, no matter our gender or size. Perhaps your purpose in this season is to be a source of encouragement to others, to share wisdom from your life experiences, or to lift others up in prayer. Whatever your purpose, we are called to live it out in gratitude and connection.

God’s blessings and peace to you in this New Year.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Rev. Christina Schoenwetter is the Associate Pastor of Engagement at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe.