What Has Changed?
by Katie Harding on January 9, 2023
Today marks the beginning of another new year for me as I return to writing Monday’s Musings.
I want to start by saying “Thank You!” to our gifted team of NorthStar women writers who shared with us their wonderful devotions from Advent through New Year’s Day: Michele Husfelt, Michele Bowden, Del Brown, Stuart Meyer, Adria Wilkins, and Mariah Stevenson. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Michele Husfelt.
It’s hard to believe that 2022 has truly come and gone. In reflecting on this in the stillness of the morning, I wondered what, if anything, has changed over this past year, and I came up with two answers:
1. In some things—not much
2. In other things—everything
As I thought more about the second answer, I realized what has changed most in me during this last year has been my perspective. In diving deeper into the Scriptures and reading books by thought-provoking writers like Dallas Willard, N.T. Wright, Len Sweet, and others, the Lord has enlarged my vision and increased my understanding of Him, His ways, and His purpose for my life. What helped in this process was engaging in meaningful conversations with other Christ-centered women. Those discussions yielded some incredible revelations that allowed each of us to experience the transforming power of God in our lives.
God created women with a desire for community. It’s the way we were designed and the way we thrive. We see this evidenced by friendships of women in the Scriptures like Mary and Elizabeth, Ruth and Naomi, and Lydia and Dorcas and their friends. We also see it in the friendships formed through our Network as women connect with one another. And we saw it on Saturday during the Leadership Forum, as women exchanged information, so they could stay in touch and get together again.
Jesus also had His groups with whom He gathered for deeper discussions. Sometimes He met one on one. Other times He met with three others – Peter, James, and John – forming a group of four, and quite often He was found in community with His twelve. He had three different sized groups, but all of them were equally beneficial.
This year, we want to encourage you to find a group. Maybe it will be a group of two, you and another. Or maybe a group of four, or perhaps a larger group similar to Jesus’ group of twelve. Your group may be based on a Bible study or around a common interest. It may be with women who have friendships already formed, or it may be a group of women gathering for the first time.
Romans 12:2 says to "...let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." I pray that throughout 2023, God will challenge some of your perspectives and broaden your thoughts as you gather with other women and join in conversation. May it be a great time of discussing the Lord’s ways, discovering His truths, and experiencing His transforming power in your own life.
May God’s many blessings be upon you in 2023!