by Pam Tinsley

As the chaplain for our diocesan Daughters of the King, I offer an opening scripture reflection for our board meetings. We reflected at our January meeting on the Magi’s visitation to the Messiah (MT 2:1-11) and pondered the question: What new road is God calling you to “travel” this year?

Daughters have committed themselves to a rule of life that consists of prayer, service, and evangelism, and many of our board members are engaged in both parish and diocesan ministries. So it came as no surprise that several responded that the new road they hope to travel entails letting go of some ministries to create space to engage more deeply in fewer ministries. One woman prays that her travels lead to reaching out to those she might normally avoid. Another woman’s new road leads to engaging in civic activism by encouraging and helping people get out to vote. Still another reminded me of how important it is to speak up with love in the face of injustice – of how silence is deemed approval.

I was struck by what these journeys have in common: each Daughter found her new road by listening to God; embarking on a new road requires no equipment aside from a loving heart; each new road begins today amid our daily lives; and no sister travels alone. She is supported by her faith community and by Jesus.

And, while each step along the path may seem small, it has the power to transform our world with love and with justice.

We, too, can hear God’s call to travel the “new road” that God sets before us when we listen carefully. What new road is God calling you to “travel” this year?