A Personal Reflection on the Lifelong Journey of Faith
Introduction: The Importance of Reflection at the New Year
There is something sacred about the first days of the year—a hush that invites us to pause and consider where we have been and where we are going. As the calendar turns, our hearts naturally long for renewal, for growth, and for meaning that transcends resolutions about diets or productivity. The New Year offers a unique space to reflect, not just on our goals, but on the deeper questions of our lives: Who am I becoming? What truly matters? And where is God in the midst of it all?
Knowing God: The Heart of the Christian Journey
In my own journey, I have learned that the heart of Christianity is not simply believing the right things or performing religious duties; it is knowing God. This is not about checking off boxes or fitting into a mold, but about cultivating a vibrant, authentic relationship with the One who created me. Knowing God is less about mastering information and more about responding to an invitation—a call into friendship and intimacy with the Divine.
Exploring God’s Character
But who is this God we are invited to know? The Bible paints a rich portrait: God is compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. He is both just and merciful, mighty yet gentle, mysterious yet near. Jesus, who walked among us, reveals the tender heart of God—one who draws close to the brokenhearted and lifts up the humble. To know God is to stand in awe of His holiness, yet also to find in Him a friend who understands our deepest longings.
What Does the Lord Require? Faith, Trust, and Humility
The invitation to know God is not reserved for the spiritual elite. God does not demand perfection but invites us to bring our real selves—doubts, questions, hopes, and hurts. What He asks is simple yet profound: faith to believe He is who He says He is, trust to lean not on our own understanding, and humility to acknowledge our need for Him. When we come to God with open hands and honest hearts, we discover a love that transforms us from the inside out.
The Lifelong Journey: Growth, Questions, and Deepening Faith
Knowing God is not a destination, but a lifelong journey. There will be seasons of certainty and times of mystery, moments of joy and periods of struggle. The path is not always straight, and questions are not failures but invitations to deeper faith. Growth often comes slowly, like the steady unfolding of dawn. What matters most is not how fast we move, but that we keep moving toward God, even—perhaps especially—when the way is unclear.
Why Study God? Expanding Hearts and Minds
Some may wonder, why focus on studying God? Because in doing so, we discover a reality bigger than ourselves. Delving into God’s character stretches our minds, enlarges our hearts, and humbles our pride. We encounter mysteries that remind us how small we are and how vast God is. This pursuit fills ordinary days with meaning and anchors us in something eternal, even as the world shifts around us.
Comfort in God: Healing, Peace, and Hope
Amid life’s uncertainties, I have found deep comfort in God’s presence. When disappointment stings or fear threatens, God offers healing for our wounds and peace that surpasses understanding. In Him, hope is not wishful thinking, but a steady assurance that we are never alone. God’s love is a refuge—a safe place to bring our burdens and find rest for our weary souls.
Invitation: Begin the Journey This Year
As this New Year begins, I invite you to embark (or continue) this journey of knowing God. You do not need to have it all figured out. Start where you are: set aside a few quiet moments each day, open your heart in honest prayer, explore God’s story in Scripture, or join a community seeking to live out faith together. The journey will have its twists and turns, but each step toward God is a step toward the life you were made for.
May this year be one of discovery, growth, and comfort as you accept the invitation to know God more deeply—a journey that lasts a lifetime and beyond.
Minister A Francine Green
December 2025
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