GOD OF TOMORROWS, we thank you for the gift of a new year. Morning by morning new mercies we see. We bring our joy and anticipation. We also bring our still-fresh pain as we remember the ones we lost in the past year. We bring the sting of disappointment as we ponder over the relationships that have been broken in the year past. We bring the burden of sadness as we struggle to recover from losing jobs. And we bring our hope that you will help us. Free us, right now, from being identified only by the events of our life. May the God Event in our life mark our life, so that we might worship you this day in the beauty of your holiness. Amen.
- B. Kevin SmallsThe Africana Worship Book: Year B
From p. 135 of The Africana Worship Book: Year B edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua. Copyright © 2007 by Discipleship Resources
From Upper Room Reflections http://www.upperroom.org/daily/

God's Imagination
So much of our energy, time, and money goes into maintaining distance from one another.
Many if not most of the resources of the world are used to defend ourselves against each other, to maintain or increase our power, and to safeguard our own privileged position.
Imagine all that effort being put in the service of peace and reconciliation!
Would there be any poverty?
Would there be crimes and wars?
Just imagine that there was no longer fear among people, no longer any rivalry, hostility, bitterness, or revenge.
Just imagine all the people on this planet holding hands and forming one large circle of love.
We say, "I can't imagine."
But God says, "That's what I imagine, a whole world not only created but also living in my image."

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These reflections are taken from Henri J.M. Nouwen's Bread for the Journey. Visit HenriNouwen.org for more inspiration!