End of the Year Reflective Moments
Recently, I attended the clergy renewal session in the California Nevada Conference. The retreat is called the “Call to Wholeness.” It is not called the Call to Perfection or the Call to Success. It is a call to balance our lives and to realistically determine where to focus in the next few years. We ask the question: what is important to us going forward?
Every year at the end of the year, I reflect on what the year has brought, and I also start looking forward to the coming year. I ask myself the questions of:
What was important in 2023? and
What will be important in 2024?
As I am thinking of 2024, I know that I want to find some peace in my personal life because I anticipate the world around me will be chaotic. Between the result of all the disaffiliations, the election season (that will last all year), the increase in hatred and violence, the wars that go on day after day, and the personal pain and suffering of loss, and tragedy, I long to go back to that call to be whole.
I want to find more kindness, compassion, honesty, and love in the events I am involved in and with the people I come in contact with. I want to find gratitude in my soul, and to keep close to my communities. I want to give support and encouragement to others, and to receive that support and encouragement from the people in my circle. One of the members of Hearts on Fire recently said to me, “these are my people.” While most of us in Hearts on Fire are not geographically close to each other, there is a real sense of community.
I invite all of you to participate in this community by attending our Recalibration Live events every other month, read the recalibrations posted, and find the inspiration and opportunities in our newsletters. Use your spiritual creativity to suggest new ideas. Make this organization an important community where you find support in your life.
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” We can find strength, and friendship and peace in Christ. And we can find community in Hearts on Fire.
May the end of this year come with peace, love, and joy, and may you find what you need in 2024.
“May you find Wholeness in 2024 with Hearts on Fire.”
Reflective Moments by
Linda Holbrook, Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders/HOF, President
This reflection represents the view of the author.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
From the Hearts on Fire Board