New Year, New Rhythms, New Word
By Cammie Easley, LPC, MHSP-S, Director of Child & Adolescent Services
Happy February, and welcome to 2025! As 2024 came to a close, I heard from many people that the end of the year was filled with busyness—celebrations, family time, events, children’s musicals, travel, and lasting memories. What a beautiful way to end the year! Our God is a God of joy, who delights in the celebrations of His children. However, instead of rushing from the busyness of December straight into the demands of the new year, I believe it’s wise for us to take a moment to pause.
I once heard from a professional musician that the pauses in music—the rests—are just as important as the notes that are played. These pauses add depth, nuance, and emotion to a song that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Throughout the Psalms, we encounter the word “selah” repeatedly. In Hebrew, “selah” means to "pause" or "rest." A "selah" was a purposeful pause in the middle of a psalm, allowing the listener a moment to reflect on what was sung.
As we enter into a new year, I believe it’s important for us to also take a “selah”—a rest—to reflect on and discern how God has been at work in our lives and to listen attentively to where He wants to lead us as we go forward. It is after these pauses in music, that a song often changes its tune or changes keys. Similarly in our lives, God uses moments of reflection and rest to reposition us and reorient us for what is ahead.
There are a number of ways that you can reflect and seek God's wisdom for the road ahead. But, if you are looking for some direction, I have provided some questions below that you can use in your own reflection time. These are not magical questions, but I believe that when we approach God humbly, asking for His guidance, He promises to provide it. You can do this individually or with others. Begin your time of reflection asking God to open your ears to hear what He has to say and to make your heart soft and responsive. Invite Him to bring ideas and memories to your mind, and ask Him what He wants you to know for the days ahead.
Questions for Reflection:
When was a moment in the past year when you felt deep joy?
When is a time when you felt confident that you were living within your gifting?
When did you feel most creative and free?
When did you feel most loved and known—by others? By the Lord?
When did you have the opportunity to show unconditional love to someone else?
When did you feel most aware of God's voice speaking to you or His presence with you?
What is an answer to prayer that you received in the past year?
What is a prayer that hasn't been answered yet, leaving you waiting for His response?
What are some things you grieved in the past year? What might you need to grieve?
What is something you feel called to leave behind in 2024?
What is something you desire to continue growing in during 2025?
Is there a word that God is calling you to pray through and meditate on in 2025?
What rhythm or practice do you want to be more intentional about in 2025?
How do you want to prioritize abiding rest in 2025?
How will you celebrate how far the Lord has brought you?
As we spend time reflecting and praying through these questions (or others like them), it is my prayer that we would gain fresh vision for the year ahead. Even small shifts in our direction, perspective and posture towards the new year can have lasting and significant impacts.
If you find yourself desiring change in your life, now is the perfect time to reach out for help! We would be delighted to encourage you on your journey.
As you enter 2025, we pray that God would bless you and keep you, that He would make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, that He would turn His face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).
Meet Cammie Easley, LPC-MHSP, Director of Child & Adolescent Services!
Cammie graduated with her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May of 2014 from Denver Seminary in Denver, CO.
Throughout her career as a counselor, Cammie has been passionate about helping individuals of all ages overcome anxiety and depression, heal from past traumas, process their own grief, and develop into the healthy and whole people that God designed them to be.
She believes firmly that seasons of hardship are God’s tool which He uses to make us more like Himself and to reveal Himself to us in ways that we would not otherwise come to intimately know. One of her greatest joys in counseling is helping individuals figure out how they can heal in a holistic way that incorporates their body, mind, and spirit.