January 2007

01.08.2007

ne Parson’s Opinion

2007 is here! Happy New Year! Where did 2006 go? The year has flown by! It seems only yesterday it was January 2006. 2006 is now history.

You have heard similar words about how fast time seems to go by. In fact, you have probably commented yourself about how fast the days disappear.

“Tempus fugit!” (translation “time flies!”) is indeed true!

Time is an interesting thing for Christians to ponder. We are going to live forever, so we have a different perspective on the pressure to get things done. However, we do want to make 2007 count. We do want to glorify God in 2007. So, what is important to Christians? What ought we focus on doing in 2007 to make the year count?

We do have to do our jobs, because we have to provide for our families and most of us have gotten very used to eating regularly! And the creation mandate to go out and subdue our world still holds.

But Christians ought to focus on more than “tasks” which in the light of eternity disappear.

So, what do we focus on? We focus on the things that are eternal. Well, what are those things? God, people and we ourselves are eternal. So, in light of making 2007 matter for eternity we need to invest our days in developing our relationships with the Lord, with others and developing our own character.

To further explain what I am encouraging: I suggest you ask yourself how you can help your character develop. I suggest you ask yourself how you can get to know the Lord and His ways better. I suggest you also ask yourself how you can make a positive impact in the lives of others. Then simply schedule to do these things.

One approach to doing this would be to plan a project each month. For example, you might plan to write notes of encouragement to your Sunday school class members in January. In February, give yourself to the study of the Gospel of John, noting how Jesus reacted in His encounters with people in John. His encounters will tell you how God reacts in similar situations in your life. Then in March focus on saying nothing “gossipy” about anyone.

These are just a few suggestions. You can take these and run with other challenging developmental ideas.

I believe if you’ll prioritize doing those things which impact eternity, you will have a very productive 2007 and God will be glorified!
See you on the Lord’s Day,
Jim

Posted by arbc at 07:05 AM