January 4, 2026
By Bishop Heather Beaty, Susquehanna Conference
Scripture meditation: Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Discipleship element: Participating in a community of believers, where mutual accountability and support for spiritual growth are fostered.
“I feel isolated. I can’t shake this feeling of anxiety. I am exhausted. I just can’t seem to gain victory in this area.”
Many of you can relate to this feeling my husband Bob and I experienced about a year ago. This realization led us to a healing and renewal retreat, and two important principles surfaced that led to greater healing and wholehearted integration for us as disciples of Christ.
The first is that of hesed, used throughout scripture to describe God’s unconditional love, generosity, and enduring commitment. God’s hesed defined his interactions with the Israelites throughout the Old Testament. Hesed prompted Jesus to disciple individuals by walking with them, at times confronting and correcting, and at times celebrating their growth and understanding. Hesed is an enduring love, a relational commitment that connects and encourages, even in times of failure and tension.
This same hesed undergirds our BIC core value of community, the second factor we found in maintaining healthy, whole living. The core value states, “we value integrity in relationships and mutual accountability in an atmosphere of grace, love, and acceptance.” In these practices, we reflect God’s hesed love with one another.
Bob and I were challenged to ask, who is part of our hesed community? Who do we regularly and intimately engage with, closely enough to foster true accountability and encouragement? Who knows what brings us joy and where we are struggling? Who do we allow to question the state of our soul, confident that an honest answer will follow?
We realized this is what had been lacking. We had not been walking with this kind of intentional and intimate community for quite some time. It was time to make some changes! For us, that meant asking a handful of brothers and sisters to commit to meet regularly for intentional sharing and accountability.
Almost a year later, we participate consistently with this group. We are thankful for a community that encourages and confronts with hesed love. We are reminded that intentional conversations and authentic dialogue occur in spaces where trust can be developed and covenantal commitment proven. Through these interactions, we are being encouraged and strengthened in our faith as disciples of Christ.
Who is part of your hesed community? In this new year, may you gratefully recommit to this journey of discipleship together. May God show you how to courageously and vulnerably reach out to connect with others in this way.
Prayer
Father, I ask you to continue your good work in us as we experience your hesed and share that with one another, pursuing accountability in love, grace, and acceptance. Amen.