Friends, these next few weeks will be filled with anxiety for all the people called United Methodists around the world. I know some of you are tired of me talking so much about the United Methodist Church, but that is my context: that is the church I know. This is the church that has nurtured me and, truth be told, I love it! Another reality is, everyone is watching and waiting anxiously to see what the United Methodists will do in a few weeks in St. Louis, Missouri! Not just United Methodists!

So, this past Sunday we read about the wedding at Cana for our Scripture, and we talked about God caring about the little things. Later, I was thinking about how that idea could influence our relationship with others. If we are the body of Christ in the world, and if Jesus loves people in the little things, then so should we.

I receive a devotional from the Henri Nouwen Society, every morning. Today’s devotional is titled, ‘Freedom is our Goal.’ Most of us are still trying to live into our New Year resolutions or are attempting to make a change in our lives for good. I felt this devotional speaks to it, so I share it with you: