Dear Rose Park,
You might still be sweeping up the confetti from your all-night party or just waking up after sleeping in; regardless, welcome to a new day and a new year. With the coming of a new year there will undoubtedly be the question, “what’s your New Year’s resolution?” Maybe you already have one, maybe you haven’t even thought of one, or maybe you’re looking for one. If that’s the case, consider this:
Last Sunday, we tolled the bell and we lit candles in honor of all those whom we lost and gained in 2024. We tolled the bell three times and we lit eighteen candles. It was a powerful service filled with joy, tears, and even laughter. It was a service that allowed us to look back and reflect on all that happened, but it also gave us the opportunity to look ahead. Towards the end of the service, I encouraged us to consider being vulnerable with one another because when we are vulnerable enough to name our own struggles, we open ourselves up to the strength and comfort of God and simultaneously we are equipped to share that same strength and comfort with others.
If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution, this might be a good place to start. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, that the church should be a community that, “weeps with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice.” (Romans 12:15) This isn’t to say that cleaning out the garage, losing 10lbs, or staying off of social media are bad resolutions, but weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice might be a good place to start. We don’t need to pretend like we have it all together and we certainly don’t need to offer the knee-jerk response “doing fine, thanks” when we’re really struggling inside. If we want to break down inauthentic barriers, then we need to have the vulnerability and courage to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.
As you begin 2025, may the Holy Spirit guide each and every one of us so that we might be able to openly, honestly, and frequently weep and rejoice with those around us. Whether they are lifelong members of the church, a stingy family member, an overeager coworker, or a stranger who doesn’t recognize the name of Christ, let us be a community who can make and keep promises to be authentic in all aspects of life.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash