Every year, I try to choose a word that encapsulates my intentions. Past words have included radiant (2024), steadfast (2023), and fulfill (2022). As December drew to a close, I found myself wrestling with two words that kept tugging at my heart to guide 2025. The first was “cozy” – a word that evoked images of warm drinks, soft blankets, and intimate gatherings. I imagined a year focused on creating spaces and moments that felt like a warm embrace, both for myself and others.
But as I sat with this word, something felt incomplete. While “cozy” captured the warmth I wanted to cultivate, it felt too inward-focused, too concerned with my own comfort. That’s when “belong” began to echo in my spirit, gaining resonance as I considered its deeper implications.
The shift from “cozy” to “belong” represents more than a simple change in vocabulary – it marks a transformation in perspective. While “cozy” speaks to creating comfortable spaces, “belong” calls me to create meaningful connections. It challenges me to move beyond merely making others feel welcome to actively ensuring they know they’re essential parts of our community.
This choice aligned beautifully with our church’s collective focus word for 2025: “Everyone.” As I reflected on these complementary themes, I was drawn to Paul’s words in Ephesians 2, where he reminds us that we are “no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” This powerful imagery of belonging to God’s household speaks directly to what I hope to embody this year.
The passage reveals a profound truth: true belonging isn’t just about being included – it’s about being integrated into something larger than ourselves. Just as each stone in a building has its place, with Christ as the cornerstone, each person in our community brings unique value and purpose to the whole.
So what does choosing “belong” mean for my daily life? It means:
– Noticing who’s standing on the edges and drawing them into conversation
– Creating spaces where people can show up as their authentic selves
– Building bridges between different groups within our community
– Being intentional about following up with people who visit our church
– Opening our home not just for hospitality, but for genuine connection
In many ways, “belong” actually encompasses what I loved about “cozy,” but pushes me toward more intentional action. It’s not just about creating warm spaces – it’s about ensuring everyone who enters those spaces knows they’re valued members of the community, integral parts of God’s household.
As 2025 unfolds, I want my life to reflect this commitment to belonging. Not just in grand gestures, but in small, daily choices that help others know they’re seen, valued, and essential to our community. Because when we truly belong to one another, we better understand what it means to belong to God.
What better focus could there be for a new year than helping others find their place in God’s household?
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