One of my resolutions (or perhaps I should call them “aspirations”) for this new year is to journal more regularly. I kept a daily journal for many years through high school and college, but then scaled back to…well, less than daily! When I’m journaling, I find that I feel a little less discombobulated and like I have a better sense of perspective about things. So, feel free to ask me, when you see me, how my journaling is going.

There is, however, another set of resolutions—or aspirations—that are always in season, not just around the new year.

On my desk is a framed print that has six words, three pictograms, and a scripture citation. I received this print when I registered for an online clergy conference at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City back in the fall of 2020, right in the midst of the pandemic.

The six words are: Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly. The three pictograms are a scale of justice, a black and white heart, and a person walking. The scripture is Micah 6:8.

That’s one of my favorite scripture verses. The Old Testament prophet is contemplating what God most wants from us. Is it sacrifices of burnt offerings? Thousands of rams? Rivers of oil? What about our own firstborn child? What does God most want from us?

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; 

and what does the Lord require of you 

but to do justice, and to love kindness, 

and to walk humbly with your God?

Whether you’re still looking for a new year’s resolution or not, we could all do worse than resolve, or at least aspire, to adhere more closely to the trifold guidance of Micah 6:8:

To act justly, to seek justice and fairness in everything, to do what’s right by others

To love mercy, to practice kindness, forgiveness, empathy, and understanding

To walk humbly with God, with others, and with ourselves

When you see me, feel free to ask me how that’s going for me, too.

Happy new year, y’all!