Well happy new year everyone, it’s 2017! It seems like just last year that we were celebrating 2016. (lame joke intended). Every new years I sit down with my family and/or friends and watch the ball drop at midnight. If you’ve ever watched this, you’ve probably seen a picture or at least a reference to Father Time and a Baby. If you’re not familiar with this, allow me to explain. We have father time representing 2016, an old decrepit looking fellow dressed up in a robe with a big long beard. This is symbolic of an old year just about to die as the clock strikes midnight. Old memories from the past year, the good and the bad, ticking away as we usher in the Baby. This little munchkin in a diaper represents the coming of 2017. Its a new year full of opportunity, adventure, youth, and a new beginning! In short, this baby is symbolic of a chance to make a fresh start.
Much like that baby, I think time is one of the most precious gifts that God gives us. Each year you have 525,600 minutes. How are you going to spend your minutes this year? (Lord willing) How are you prioritizing your life to put what truly matters in the forefront of each and every precious moment you have?
In the book of Ephesians the Bible reminds us about how we should live and spend our days. “So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17…
So allow me to give you a few quick things to work on in the new year. You may call them your “community resolutions” if you will. This year, I ask you to consider taking some time and give these simple things to the people in your life. Some of these may be applicable to you, some may not. I ask you to consider working toward these in 2017 to make the most of the time you have been given. This is by no means an exhaustive list of things to do but it’s a start….
I ask you to consider,
To your work, give effort.
To your school, give attention.
To your customers, give fairness.
To your family, give dependability.
To your friends, give humility.
To your enemies, give forgiveness
To your competitors, give honor.
To your kids, give leadership.
To your church, give devotion.
To your wife/husband, give loyalty.
To yourself, give respect.
To God, give time.
The book of Psalms says “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand.” (Psalm 31:14-15)
I know that if you try to focus on one, two, or even all of these attributes, you will begin to see God working in your life in amazing ways. However, if you’re so crunched for time that you find even the thought of giving your school work more attention or your work any more effort that you can only attempt one thing, try spending time with God first. Just give Him 10 minutes a day. I know you can find 10 minutes. Turn off the TV, put the cell phone on silent, put the kids down for a nap, put duct tape over your room mates mouth, do what you have to do to minimize the noise of this loud world and give God the attention He deserves. I beg you, give Him a chance.I pray that each and every one of you, weather you are new to this whole “Jesus” thing or an old salty seasoned Christian in need a little spiritual buttkicking… spend time with God. He loves you. He wants to hear from you. In 2 Corinthians 6:2 it says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation….. What does that mean for us? Answer, God is listening! There are no prerequisites to the verse, meaning, you don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all together. You can yell, scream, whisper, sing, however you choose to communicate to the God of the universe, just speak. He’s always listening. He’s waiting to hear from you. You’d be amazed at what you’ll hear back sometimes. To those who don’t know God or are having trouble communicating with Him, reach out. Myself or any one of the leaders at Brothers Without Borders would love to sit down with you and help walk you through what the Bible has to say about beginning a relationship with Jesus and praying to Him. I can promise you that this will be the sweetest moments of 2017 that you would ever spend and next year at this time you’ll be looking back at your year and definitively point to your time spent alone with God as some of the best times you’ve had.