New Year, A New Present
A shift in embodying the church this year.
Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash
We are alive in another new year!
With the start of 2026, it’s easy to assume we should speed up and add more to our schedule with what’s ahead.
For some of us, there may be excitement and hope for the year ahead. For others, the previous year was a challenge, raising more questions and uncertainty.
As we step into the New Year as CityVine, we pray that each of us can hold onto a central verse that defines why we began this journey in the first place:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5
We don’t want to try harder or try to produce fruit quickly.
We pray to remain…
To make our home with Christ.
It’s an intention that assumes presence, not performance.
A shared love, not a transactional output.
As we begin this year together, maybe we don’t rush toward change just yet. Let’s maybe pull up a chair and let Scripture speak before we try to respond.
There will be time to practice, learn, notice patterns, and ask questions.
But first, we begin where Jesus begins—with presence.
The practice of presence
In the wisdom of John 15:5, here are two ideas that help us in our practice:
Enjoy
It’s easy to jump to the next thing and look forward to the future. Planning for the future is good, but what happens when it distracts from savoring the moment and listening to the people around us?
When you find yourself in a pleasant moment, activate your senses (sights, sounds, and sensations) and enjoy it. Share your gratitude with God and, maybe even with the people around you, to encourage a spirit of thankfulness in those you love.
Listen
An important but often underrated skill in our culture and in our Christian faith is listening. Listening can be reduced to waiting to speak. But notice what happens when we listen to understand during a conversation. Something shifts. You might notice this is also true during our time with God. Something shifts when we take time to listen to what He says rather than just hearing our own voice and calling it good. There is wisdom in listening.
This practice is a journey, so take a deep breath and seek to understand yourself, friends, or your surroundings with the Holy Spirit.
