Don't Waste Another Year!

"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."  (Proverbs 27:1)

As a New Year begins, I am reminded of the fact that all of us are one year closer to: the day of our death, or the day the Lord returns; that day when we shall stand before the Lord in judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10); and that day when He will either say...

1) "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).
2) "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).

Since we are one year closer to that day when our final destiny will be forever determined, let me use this opportunity to provoke your thinking as to how you have used this past year; and suggest some resolutions for the coming year. My goal here is to encourage us to make better use of the time we have left, and to prepare us for the day of reckoning that awaits us.

Why don't we begin by honestly asking ourselves some important questions. Perhaps looking back at the past year will help us have a more productive and fulfilling new year. Let's ask...

1) Has our relationship with God and Christ improved? Have we drawn nearer to God? (cf. James 4:8). As you do this, bear in mind that a close relationship depends upon good communication, for example: Have we been faithful in listening to God through His Word? Another year has gone by; did we read through the Bible this year? If not, and especially if we never have, can we honestly say that we are taking our relationship with God seriously?
 
Have we been steadfast in talking to God through prayer? Remember that, any effective communication requires a two-way street. Therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with fervent prayer. Has our degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased this year?

2) Has our relationship with others improved? Has our love for one another increased this year? (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10). Are we any closer to one another than we were a year ago?
       
3) Has our relationship with those in the world improved? As people of God, we have an important responsibility toward those in the world (cf. Mt 5:13-16), such as: to be a positive influence ("You are the salt of the earth"), and to demonstrate a better way ("You are the light of the world"). Have we made progress this year in developing meaningful relationships with people in the world?
       
The questions above can be summarized in this way: "Another year has gone by; have we made good use of the time the Lord has given us, or have we wasted it?"

It's likely that all of us in some degree have not made good use of the past year. But at this point, let's apply the words of Paul: "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

Now, with this attitude of pressing forward, let me suggest the following resolutions for the year ahead...

1) Resolve to draw nearer to God and Christ. You could do this by having a daily reading program of God's living and abiding Word (Hebrews 4:12). Maybe read the Old Testament this year (cf. Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:14-17), read the New Testament (James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:2), or by being diligent in prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16).
       
2) Resolve to become closer to others in your church community.

3) Resolve to get to know non-Christians better. It is amazing how far simple hospitality and neighborly kindness can go to build meaningful relationships in which opportunities can be created to share the gospel.

In closing, sure, these resolutions may sound simplistic; but if implemented, they go a long way to producing the kind of lifestyle that is becoming of Christians, increasing closer relationships with God, our brothers and sisters, and the lost. This, in turn, will bless our lives and be a blessing to the church and our community. Which will go a long ways to create a clearer conscience next year at this time.

Time is a precious commodity, given to us by God. It is truly like a vapor (cf. James 4:13-15), that needs to be carefully redeemed (cf. Ephesians 5:15-16). I sincerely hope that these suggestions for resolutions for a new year will help you in making better use of it!

Scripture: Psalm 51:10-11; Colossians 3:14-15; Luke 6:31; Romans 8:28; Isaiah 43:18-19;  Psalm 139:23-24; Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer: Dear Father, grant me the wisdom to understand that it is not what in front of me that matters, but the actions I take. Amen

Have a blessed year!

Marsha