As you look ahead into 2023, how do you feel about the new year? What are you hoping for? What are you excited about? What are your concerns and anxieties? Personally, I am looking forward to returning to Malawi this summer to encourage our three Flood congregations there! I have also felt drawn to exploring and growing in the virtue of humility. It is the foundation of a full and fruitful life with God. Jesus is the ultimate example of a life marked by genuine humility (Philippians 2:5-8).

At the beginning of a new year it is easy to get caught up in setting goals and making plans for what we want to accomplish. But let's not forget that the most important thing is who we choose to be. Our character is the priority. What we do matters but who we are matters more. Our character, shaped by God's grace and truth is far more significant than any goal we could set or anything we could achieve. My hope and prayer is that we make 2023 about becoming more like Jesus. Learning from Jesus changes everything about our lives because it changes us from the inside. We discover that in our daily life challenges and opportunities we can learn to relax and trust in Jesus.

This week, we begin our January message series from the book of Micah. God uses the prophet Micah to clearly and powerfully express his expectations for his people. We are to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).