Impact Flows from Intimacy
By Ryan Dawson
As another year draws to a close, I find my heart full—full of gratitude, humility, and wonder at what God has been forming among us. If I had to name one defining lesson from this past year, it would be this: true impact always flows from intimacy with Jesus.
In a world that celebrates activity, productivity, and visible results, Jesus keeps inviting us back to something quieter and deeper. Christ says… “Come and be with me.” As someone who values making an impact with my life, I have had to learn that fruitfulness flows from faithfulness. Before there is fruit, there is abiding. Before mission, there is presence. And this year, as a church, we leaned into that invitation together.
Through our Practicing the Way of Jesus series, we slowed down enough to notice what many of us had felt for a long time: our souls were tired, distracted, and hungry for more than information. We didn’t just want to know about Jesus—we wanted to walk with Him, to order our lives around His way of life, and to recover spiritual rhythms that shape us into people of love.
I think we took some good steps and together we practiced the Way of Jesus.
We learned to make space for silence and prayer.
We rediscovered Sabbath rest as resistance to our anxious and hurried lives.
We became more attentive to Scripture, the importance of community, and the Spirit’s gentle leading.
And I see something beautiful happening—not overnight, not loudly, but faithfully. As intimacy with Jesus deepens, we are seeing more fruit in our lives. We see greater peace for our anxious hearts, renewed joy in our worship, love and tenderness toward one another, and a quieter confidence in our witness. We are learning that impact doesn’t come from striving harder; it flows naturally from being more deeply rooted in our relationship with Jesus.
This is the paradox of the Kingdom: when we prioritize presence, God produces power. When we choose faithfulness in hidden places, He multiplies the results in ways only He can.
As 2025 ends, I want to invite you—not to rush past this moment—but to pause and remember with God. Remembering with God, or making space for gratitude, isn’t just about collecting rational details from the year. It’s an invitation to experience God again in the beauty of both the seen and unseen blessings He has poured into our lives.
Gratitude trains our hearts to notice God’s nearness. It anchors us in reality. And as Brother Lawrence once said, it helps us learn to “practice the presence of God” in every ordinary moment.
So, as we close this year, would you take some unhurried time to re-experience God in the beauty of the gifts He has given you?
Below is a prayer practice from Practicing the Way that I think is helpful as we reflect on the year behind us and prepare for the year ahead. May the Lord bless you richly with a sense of His loving presence as you walk with Jesus.
Happy New Year! Blessings, Ryan
P R A C T I C E
Take a moment to breathe deeply.
Become aware of God’s presence with you.
After reading each prayer below, sit in silence for two minutes, allowing yourself to experience the joyful, kind, and loving presence of your Father—who so faithfully supplies all you need.
You may wish to keep a pen and paper nearby to note memories or blessings that surface during the silence.
P R A Y E R
Good Father,
For every breath I’ve breathed,
I thank and remember you with love.
Silence for two minutes.
For every meal, drink, and good night’s sleep,
I thank and remember you with love.
Silence for two minutes.
For every friendship and loved one,
I thank and remember you with love.
Silence for two minutes.
For my very existence in this beautiful world,
I thank and remember you with love.
Silence for two minutes.
May you be deeply aware of God’s presence and generosity throughout the coming year.
May your intimacy with Jesus continue to shape your life—and through it, may His love overflow to others.
Peace,
Practicing the Way
As another year draws to a close, I find my heart full—full of gratitude, humility, and wonder at what God has been forming among us. If I had to name one defining lesson from this past year, it would be this: true impact always flows from intimacy with Jesus.
In a world that celebrates activity, productivity, and visible results, Jesus keeps inviting us back to something quieter and deeper. Christ says… “Come and be with me.” As someone who values making an impact with my life, I have had to learn that fruitfulness flows from faithfulness. Before there is fruit, there is abiding. Before mission, there is presence. And this year, as a church, we leaned into that invitation together.
Through our Practicing the Way of Jesus series, we slowed down enough to notice what many of us had felt for a long time: our souls were tired, distracted, and hungry for more than information. We didn’t just want to know about Jesus—we wanted to walk with Him, to order our lives around His way of life, and to recover spiritual rhythms that shape us into people of love.
I think we took some good steps and together we practiced the Way of Jesus.
We learned to make space for silence and prayer.
We rediscovered Sabbath rest as resistance to our anxious and hurried lives.
We became more attentive to Scripture, the importance of community, and the Spirit’s gentle leading.
And I see something beautiful happening—not overnight, not loudly, but faithfully. As intimacy with Jesus deepens, we are seeing more fruit in our lives. We see greater peace for our anxious hearts, renewed joy in our worship, love and tenderness toward one another, and a quieter confidence in our witness. We are learning that impact doesn’t come from striving harder; it flows naturally from being more deeply rooted in our relationship with Jesus.
This is the paradox of the Kingdom: when we prioritize presence, God produces power. When we choose faithfulness in hidden places, He multiplies the results in ways only He can.
As 2025 ends, I want to invite you—not to rush past this moment—but to pause and remember with God. Remembering with God, or making space for gratitude, isn’t just about collecting rational details from the year. It’s an invitation to experience God again in the beauty of both the seen and unseen blessings He has poured into our lives.
Gratitude trains our hearts to notice God’s nearness. It anchors us in reality. And as Brother Lawrence once said, it helps us learn to “practice the presence of God” in every ordinary moment.
So, as we close this year, would you take some unhurried time to re-experience God in the beauty of the gifts He has given you?
Below is a prayer practice from Practicing the Way that I think is helpful as we reflect on the year behind us and prepare for the year ahead. May the Lord bless you richly with a sense of His loving presence as you walk with Jesus.
Happy New Year! Blessings, Ryan
P R A C T I C E
Take a moment to breathe deeply.
Become aware of God’s presence with you.
After reading each prayer below, sit in silence for two minutes, allowing yourself to experience the joyful, kind, and loving presence of your Father—who so faithfully supplies all you need.
You may wish to keep a pen and paper nearby to note memories or blessings that surface during the silence.
P R A Y E R
Good Father,
For every breath I’ve breathed,
I thank and remember you with love.
Silence for two minutes.
For every meal, drink, and good night’s sleep,
I thank and remember you with love.
Silence for two minutes.
For every friendship and loved one,
I thank and remember you with love.
Silence for two minutes.
For my very existence in this beautiful world,
I thank and remember you with love.
Silence for two minutes.
May you be deeply aware of God’s presence and generosity throughout the coming year.
May your intimacy with Jesus continue to shape your life—and through it, may His love overflow to others.
Peace,
Practicing the Way