Another new year has begun, and with it comes the hope of a fresh start. Over the holidays, I spent a bit of time thinking about tradition. Traditions are important. They give our lives rhythm, but more than that, traditions anchor us to history. They give us a sense of where we have been and serve as reference points from which we calculate our path to the future.

The New Year is one such tradition. It is a time to reflect on the past and make resolutions for the future. It is a time of hope and new starts. We start new diets (often out of necessity), ponder our vocations, and consider our options. It is also a good time for Christians to take stock of their faith. I fear we often assume too much when it comes to our faith. We lean on our past experiences, sacramental rituals, or even our interaction with other believers without properly assessing the fruit of the Spirit and the condition of our faith. For example, when was the last time we asked ourselves:

—Have we grown in our faith over the past year? —Do we make decisions based on faith? —Do we seek guidance for everyday living or only when we’re in trouble? —Do we follow Jesus every day, or do we generally run the show while asking Jesus to help us?—Does our life reflect the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

Confession is a spiritual practice that has been dropped in many church traditions. But I think that is a mistake. We need traditions and habits that build and transform our character. Confession, particularly corporate confession, is a tradition that builds regular times into our lives when we must stand together and honestly assess our performance as human beings and as children of God.

As we consider the year before us, let’s take the time to reflect honestly on the year we have just lived. Do we love? Do we live in such a way that we seek to benefit others at our expense? Jesus did — and we are following him. I know that comparing our lives to Jesus is a high bar to jump, and I am not saying that I have succeeded in all categories or anything like it. But the new life that Jesus has given us is real and powerful. It is far more powerful than we often give it credit.

Believing in Jesus is, at its core, believing he was successful in his mission. It is believing we are not only forgiven but also changed — and changing every day. We are being transformed into the image of God each day we follow Jesus rather than our old desires.

This year, we have been given another opportunity to walk in the grace and power of Jesus. We have the Spirit of God at work in us and through us to do the things we could and would never do on our own.

Let’s begin this year right, with thankfulness and hope. Hope that is built not on our efforts but on the grace and faithfulness of God. Let’s examine ourselves honestly but without fear, remembering Paul’s encouragement.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more,

Deb and I want to thank all of you for your faithfulness to us over the years. We stand with you as you walk into this new year.

May you all have a very blessed new year!