Kia ora, Bula, Tālofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Greetings
Welcome to LIGHT—our January SALT summer supplement. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!
As we step into 2025, we encourage you to take time to reflect on the year that’s been and to create some space to consider opportunities that lie ahead. It can be helpful to notice what’s been important and impactful, and then prayerfully ask God to shine the light of his love on the path ahead. We’re not talking about New Year’s resolutions here, but discerning God’s invitations to us and prayerfully considering how we might respond with genuine intention.
So, to get the most out of this summer supplement, grab your journal/ notebook or large sheets paper to record your thoughts and ideas. We encourage you to remain open to God, the one who knows you fully and loves you completely, trusting in his goodness and purpose for your life. Please, take your time. Settle in. Breathe deeply. Pray. Reflect. Revisit. Wait. And see. Enjoy intimacy with God as you discern direction for the new year. Every blessing,
The SALT Team
‘Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.’
MATTHEW 11:28b–30 (THE MESSAGE)
Reflect and notice
Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. Grab your journal or a notebook and your 2024 diary or bring up your calendar on your device. Start in January and think back through the year.
What stands out to you as you look back upon the year that has come to an end?
Notice days, weeks or even seasons that were life-giving, fruitful or fulfilling; times of opportunity, success, joy or celebration. When did you feel peace or contentment?
Notice times that were challenging, painful or even desolate. Were there times when you felt upset, angry or anxious? Are there people or relationships that come to mind? Is there anyone you are at odds with? Has someone new come into your life or has a friendship deepened?
Take some time to ponder the things you have written down. Notice the feelings and emotions that arise as you read them over. What thoughts or questions surface? Don’t judge your responses— this is healthy, helpful data! You might like to draw a line that depicts the valleys and peaks of 2024.
Take some time to ponder the things you have written down.
Light in the darkness
Sometimes our awareness of God’s presence feels more like absence. We’re not alone in experiencing times like this. Often, we can discern evidence of God’s fingerprints, grace and love at work as we reflect on those moments or seasons of life.
Once again, consider the year that’s been. Were there times when God appeared absent? What was happening in your life at the time? Listen for the Holy Spirit’s revelation. Notice any nudges or new information. Make some notes here or draw a timeline that gives meaning to your experience of both God’s absence and presence.
Consider Psalm 139:7–12. Read it aloud. Write it out. Notice what strikes a chord with your spirit. ‘Is there any place I can go to avoid your Spirit? To be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, you’d find me in a minute—you’re already there waiting! Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I’m immersed in the light!” It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.’ (The Message)
You may find it helpful to pray these verses as a prayer of response to the God who is here, there and everywhere—in our awareness of him and when we perceive that presence as absence.
We are already in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness.
RICHARD ROHR
A picture paints a thousand words
Jesus often used everyday images to explain spiritual realities—a vine, a door, yeast, a lost sheep and so on. Biblical writers also used vivid imagery to describe God—a tower, shelter, mother hen, father, potter, gardener, physician, fire, shield, water and so on. The Salvation Army is based on a powerful image, and for 160 years that metaphor has served as both spiritual inspiration and a framework for mission delivery. Sometimes God illuminates an image to gently guide us or get our attention. An image can help us express our thoughts and feelings. An image can be easier to describe than an emotion.
As you have been reflecting on the past year, and noticing what surfaces, is there a picture or an image that springs to mind? Turn it over in your mind. Why this image? Does it remind you of something? A previous season in life? Is there a verse or Bible story that fits with this image? Ask God about the image. Pray and ponder.
It might be helpful to draw the image or Google it and print it out. Perhaps the image exists in nature and a walk is in order—photograph the image or draw it.
Seeking God’s guidance
The spiritual process of seeking God's guidance to understand his will for our lives is called discernment. It involves prayer, reflection and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit as we contemplate and navigate our choices and decisions. Discernment is a slow and gentle process that invites us to pause, listen and gain clarity on our next steps, trusting that God will reveal his direction in his perfect timing.
Find a quiet space to connect with God as you pray this prayer. You may like to pray aloud or write it out.
Loving God,
Thank you for inviting us to reflect on the year that has been,
To name our moments of joy and sadness,
To notice where we felt your presence and where we did not,
To reflect on the experiences that have changed and transformed us, Thank you for being with us in every moment, even in circumstances we did not choose.
Lord, we set aside this time and ask you for guidance,
As we consider the year ahead help us to discern our next steps, Reveal to us what to hold on to, what to pick up and what to set down. Ignite within us a curiosity and passion to discover all that you have planned for us.
We yield to your desire for us, We are listening.
Amen
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
PSALM 119:105
Ways of being with God
In the busyness of daily life, it can be challenging to establish and maintain practices that nurture our relationship with God. Regular rhythms and routines help us draw closer to God. There are many ways we can choose to spend time with God—some are listed on this page. Consider these questions and suggestions as you seek to deepen your connection with God.
Where do you already experience God’s presence in your days and weeks? Are there new spiritual practices you feel drawn to?
How might you incorporate a new practice into your daily or weekly rhythm?
Conversational Prayer
The practice of doing everyday tasks such as gardening or driving while engaging in conversation with God.
Nature Contemplation
The practice of spending time near water or in nature connecting with God through the experience of natural surroundings.
Spiritual Writing
A practice that includes journaling and poetry writing as a means of exploring and deepening spiritual experiences and reflections.
Breath Prayer
The practice of praying short simple prayers repeated in rhythm with your breathing to help you centre your mind and experience God’s presence.
Musical Worship
The practice of listening to and singing worship music to connect with and praise God.
Lectio Divina
The contemplative practice of reading the Bible slowly and prayerfully to deepen your understanding and relationship with God.
Moving forwards
‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’ PROVERBS 3:5 (NIV)
Ponder these questions as you discern the path ahead with God:
Through reflection, what have you learned about yourself? What is this telling you about your future desires?
What do you want? When you ask yourself this question, what is the very first image, word or emotion that you experience?
If what you desire feels too big, what part of this feels most important or manageable right now?
What are you not being honest with yourself about? Does this reveal a desire to move towards or away from something?
What does staying where you are cost you?
Recalling goals you have worked towards in the past, who or what supported your progress? For example, meeting regularly with an accountability partner or mentor, setting micro-goals for easy wins or celebrating progress in a way that is meaningful.
Small beginnings
The Bible tells us that God loves a small beginning. In Zechariah 4:10a, we read: ‘Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin.’ Expectation at this time of the year runs high for big changes, big actions and big outcomes. It can be easy to get stuck at the start line feeling overwhelmed. But we can harness the power of small beginnings.
It is our consistent efforts, even in small increments, that have the biggest impact on our lives, our relationships and our aspirations. As you plan your next steps consider these questions:
What small actions can you take regularly that will make the biggest difference over time?
How can you break a large or long-term goal down into smaller achievable steps and make a start?
How can you celebrate each step, no matter how small, as a meaningful part of your journey?
Imagine looking back a year from now. How will your small beginnings today contribute to what you desire in the future?
What do small beginnings allow you to learn and refine along the way?
Now that you’ve invested this time in reflecting and discerning with God what you desire, record your goals and commit to these small beginnings. Do that in a way that’s meaningful to you.
PSALM 37:4 (TLB)
A
word from Lt-Col Liz Gainsford (Secretary for Spiritual Life Development)
Ensuring that we are each deepening our relationship with Jesus is important for us as Christians and therefore vital for us as The Salvation Army. I continue to be amazed by the breadth of ways that people connect with God and would want to encourage every person to discover what works for them in their current season of life. Having said that, there is also something wonderful that happens when the body of Christ comes together to pray, read Scripture and practise spiritual disciplines. That is why the Spiritual Life Network is looking at more ways that we can go deeper in Christ in 2025—together. We will still have our monthly online prayer meetings and our online retreat days, but keep your ears and eyes open for other great opportunities as the year unfolds.
Online Retreat Days 2025
Saturday 22 March
Monday 23 June
Wednesday 20 August
Thursday 6 November
Online prayer meetings 7pm on the 7th of every month, starting again in February.
More info at salvationarmy.org.nz/ praying-together
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24–26