As I enter 2025, I hold these prayers with outstretched hands:
May we be people who tell the truth—even when it’s hard—from a heart of love and compassion.
May we expose sin instead of hiding it out of fear of ruining God’s reputation.
May we be brave enough to stand up to spiritual abusers and protect victims instead of looking the other way or refusing to get involved.
May we become people who willingly and humbly admit when we are wrong.
May we listen with openness to the beliefs of others even if we disagree.
May we be people who see everyone as precious and valuable regardless of our differences.
May our disillusionment with behavior based religion drive us to find the Real Jesus who was also unimpressed with outward behavior.
May we take the time to read Scripture in context and with as much cultural understanding as possible instead of assuming that we already know what it means.
May we have an embodied experience of the Holy Spirit as we learn to live holistically without rejecting any of our humanity even as we recognize our brokenness.
May we be willing to walk in the awkward middle way of grace and truth with Jesus even if it’s lonely and we don’t fit in.
May we find brothers and sisters who will join hands and walk in the awkward middle way with us.
Happy New Year, friends! Thank you for being here.
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"May we expose sin instead of hiding it out of fear of ruining God's reputation." Oh, I have been afraid of exposing sin because I didn't want nonbelievers to think badly of God because of what those who claim to be His have done. And remaining silent makes it so much harder for the pain of abuse to be healed. Thank you for these words!
I can only say amen tot that. Amen!