And so this is Christmas and what have you done?
A good friend of mine said to me recently on the eve of his 80th birthday, "As I look back over the years I ask myself what have I done with my life? Have I achieved anything for God or have I just been sermon tasting?" My friend does not need to berate himself as he has been a great blessing to many in his life by just drawing along side people, caring for them and witnessing to them of the love of Christ but the point is well made.
As we approach a New Year and a new beginning we naturally find ourselves acknowledging our mortality and questioning our effectiveness. As John Lennon succinctly noted, "And so this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun." As the years pass with seemingly increasing speed how can we make sure 2005 and the years that follow in the will of God, are fruitful and effective? Here are a few suggestions.
Redeem the Time.
(Eph 5 v 16). "Too busy" is the cry of the age; from youngsters at school, to those retired from secular employment. Doing what? God has a plan for each of our lives and being too busy is not part of it. This is a good time to reassess our priorities and cut out the deadwood from our lives. We must however be on the alert to meet the demands of every hour in order to make the most of every opportunity. Why? Because as Ephesians continues, "the days are evil". We are called to be salt and light in the midst of such evil. Time is short. Just how short we do not know. I think David Livingstone got it right who, when asked if he was afraid of the task of going into Africa with the gospel replied, "I am immortal until the will of God for me is accomplished".
Preach the Word
(2 Tim 4 v 2). Only the Word of God has the power to really change lives, the plain unvarnished truth of God, so let us not waste time beating about the bush. The need to spread the Word is urgent whether we feel like it or not. "But I am not a public speaker", I hear you say. It is not really an excuse as preaching can be done one to one and is actually a more productive means of evangelism these days. Let us make sure we are not left behind for whatever reason and miss the blessing.
Finish the Race
(2 Tim 4 v 7). The great temptation is to say "I've done my bit for the kingdom of God. I'll leave it to someone younger". That was not Paul's way. Life for him was a marathon, not a sprint, but yet he lived each day as though it were his last. Shortly after writing to Timothy he died, but did so knowing he had given his best in the race of life. He was not hung up on regrets and bitterness from missed opportunities and wasted time. I think there is a lesson for us there and encouragement that when tempted to give up we can rely on the strength that God gives us to persevere.
Finally, back to my octogenarian friend. One of his favourite comments is "Keep going". I suggest that if we do this and seek to follow the scriptural injunctions above we will be able to look back on 2005 not as a wasted year but as a blessed and fruitful one.
© Andrew Blakeman.