New Year Reflection for January 2025

Happy New Year!

As we step into 2025, let us do so with joy, gratitude, and faith in the God who holds our future. Every new year is a fresh chapter, reminding us of God’s endless possibilities for renewal and hope. As Isaiah declares, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19, NRSV).

I’d like to share a story about a man travelling in the desert. After many days of walking under the blazing sun, he stumbled upon an old pump standing next to a jug of water. Beside the jug was a note: “Pour the water into the pump to prime it, and you will have all the water you need. Trust, and don’t drink from the jug!” The man wrestled with the decision. Could he risk losing the one jug of water he had, in exchange for the promise of an endless flow?

Finally, with a deep breath, he followed the note’s instruction, pouring the water into the pump. At first, nothing happened, but he kept pumping, and soon, fresh, cool water began to gush out—more than he could have dreamed. He filled his bottles, refreshed himself, and left a new note: “It works! Trust the pump!”

Like that traveller, we face a choice as we begin this new year.

We can cling to the past—the familiar and the known—or we can pour ourselves into God’s promises, trusting that his plans for us are abundant. His grace is the wellspring that never runs dry, offering us hope for every moment of our lives.

Yet, in our service to others, it’s easy to forget that we too need to drink deeply from that well. We cannot pour into others if our own well is dry.

Restoring our own resources—through prayer, reflection, rest, and renewal—is essential for us to live and serve abundantly. As Jesus reminds us, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NRSV).

2025 invites us to trust God’s faithfulness and abundance, even when we’re unsure of the future.

With Christ, we have the confidence to face whatever this year may hold, knowing that “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NRSV).

So, may I encourage all of us to embrace this new year with joy, faith, and excitement, ready to experience all that God will do in us and through us.

Let us also be more intentional in drawing from the well of God’s love to refresh our own spirits and souls, so that we may continue to pour that same joy into others with grace and generosity.

Prayer

Gracious God,

Thank you for the gift of a new year and the abundant blessings you provide. Help us to trust in your promises and step into 2025 with joyful confidence. Teach us to draw deeply from the well of your love, restoring our spirits so that we may share your grace and compassion with the world around us. Walk with us each day, Lord, and help us to glorify you in all we do.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

With every blessing this January,

Revd Paul

The Revd Paul Wilson

Rector of the Epworth Group of Churches

Priest-in-Charge of the Belton Group of Churches

Assistant Curate of the Crowle Group of Churches and the Haxey and Owston Ferry Plurality

Rural Dean of the Isle of Axholme Deanery