Today I reflected.
It’s halfway through the year, and I spent time reflecting on my 2025 so far.
Although I’ve done year-end reflections before, including choosing a Word of the Year, laying out goals and vision, I’m not sure I’ve done a mid-year check-in before. At least not intentionally. I suppose a sort of reflection time occurred when a new school year would start each August. I would consider that more of a slate-cleaning, embracing the opportunity to begin something new than it was a time of truly reflecting.
Today was a reflection, part of our Summer Soul Camp in embracing unforced rhythms of faith. We spent four weeks diving deep into four rhythms: daily, weekly, seasonal, and yearly. Some examples of each faith rhythm include:
- Daily: quiet time, morning routine, Scripture reading plan, etc.
- Weekly: Sabbath, time in community, etc.
- Seasonal: retreat, trying different spiritual practices like fasting, etc.
- Yearly: reflecting on your life and faith, remembering God’s goodness, etc.
Each of these different rhythms supports our faith at different times, so that no matter what our life looks like–stressful, busy, simple, or something else–we can still meet with God without shame and with expectations that make sense.
This mid-year check-in reminded me to “Look back over the year with gratitude, grace, and growth in mind” (Summer Soul Camp Workbook). Or in this case, look over the past six months.
I think reflection can often be intimidating. What if we look back and realize we didn’t measure up? Or that we were wrong? Or that our goals are not going to be achieved? No matter what we have done, it’s easy to reflect and focus on only what we haven’t done. But as author Emily P. Freeman says, “In remembering, we return to gratitude. In reflecting, we return to growth.” Reflection need not be scary, especially if we focus on the other “R” word–remember.
Remember all the goals you made progress toward? Remember all the daily steps you took, imperfectly or not? Remember how you persevered when the car wouldn’t start, the dog got fleas, and the kids were sick?
Remembrance is a vital part of reflection, perhaps more important than the did-I-reach-my-goal kind of reflecting. Because in remembering we can better see God’s faithfulness and cultivate gratitude for our lives, even the hard, unwanted, painful parts.
Oh, and one more thing about the what-if-I-look-back-and-see-my-weakness kind of reflection… Praise God for our weaknesses! This is what the whole gospel is about. God is in the business of redemption, and Jesus came so that we can freely, openly, unashamedly acknowledge our weaknesses so that he can heal us and his Holy Spirit power can be displayed for all to see. So why would we be afraid to reflect and uncover our weaknesses when we have a God whose literal business is to make those weaknesses strengths?
2 Corinthians 12:9 FNV says it this way,
“The gift of my great kindness will give you the strength you need,” our Honored Chief said to me. “For the greatness of my power comes to the ones who understand how weak they are.” So then, I am glad to brag even more about how weak I am, so it can be clearly seen that the power resting on me comes from the Chosen One.
Reflection helps us understand how weak we are. Remembering helps us understand how strong God is.
And that’s the gospel.
Today I reflected. I looked back on my 2025 so far with gratitude, excited for the ways God is going to grow me next.
Three recommended resources for reflecting and remembering:
- Summer Soul Camp, a 4-week online journey of spiritual renewal for faith that flourishes through every season.
- The Way of Gratitude, 21 devotions to marvel at God’s character and help you experience greater joy in the present moment as you learn about gratitude as a lifestyle.
- Elevate, a live online coaching series designed to equip and empower you with strategies for elevating your life from surviving to thriving.
