A New Year, A New Leaf?
The New Year has begun. We tend to look back on the year just ended to see if there are things we would change in the future. This is a chart of the top 10 resolutions a group of 1,000+ U.S. adults made at the beginning of 2018:
The common denominator in most resolutions is “What is the best use of my time?” We can plan on how to use our time to accomplish goals, but can never manufacture more of that most precious resource
TIME.
The sad thing about the above list is that each of the resolutions benefits ME, rather than others. Would the answers be different if the poll was given to followers of Christ only?
Would your answers and my answers be any different?
What is the wisest choice for investing time as a Christ-follower? These are a few “suggestions” (commands really) the Lord gave us, with the intention we would build¹ our lives accordingly:
This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
John 15:12
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the only Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 25:19-20
Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Notice that these “resolutions” are all other-centered as Jesus lived from His birth to His death.
How best to use our time in 2019? A wise choice might be to ask God “How do you want to use me to build Your kingdom in the lives of those around me?” Don’t wait for an in-depth answer, but be willing to take a first small step in that direction today, this week, this month!
Then at the end of 2019 you and I can look back with joy at having been obedient to His calling.
¹Luke 6:46-49
Written by Martha Clouse
GNC Coordinator, Williamsburg
