A New Year 12-30-07
At this time of year, we often look back to the beginning of the year. We look back to our financial status most often, many seeing the spending that we shouldn’t have done and the saving that we should. We also look forward to the new year, making resolutions (losing weight tops the list) that we know from past experience we will not keep. In the midst of all of the hustle and bustle of packing up the Christmas decorations, getting back to work, and resuming normal life in general, maybe we should pause and remember what we are here for.
We often see our financial failures the clearest (rejected credit cards and overdue statements will do that to even the dullest American). For the most part, we even see what we should have done to have gotten a different result. We just do not do those things. And so, we get what we clearly see we should have gotten: money troubles. This is what many Americans see when they look backwards.
When looking forward to the new year, the average American male will think about getting in shape as the number one resolution, while the average American female will think about losing weight. Both of them know from the start that they will fail. The past has shown that they will not maintain the diet and exercise needed for the desired transformation to occur. This is what the future holds for many Americans.
But what about the Christian Americans? Do we allow ourselves to be consumed by finances and health issues? Are they the top of our lists too? Well, certainly Christians should have their finances under control, and I believe that God wants us to take care of our bodies in a decent manner also. But what about our spiritual wealth, and our spiritual health? Shouldn’t they have a higher priority?
As we look back at the year 2007, what do we see in terms of our spiritual finances? Do we see frivolity and spiritual bankruptcy? Or do we see our treasures being laid up on high for us, built on the faith acted out in our lives? How have we spent the Master’s gifts to us? How are we going to spend them in the new year?
What are we wanting to achieve as our spiritual health? Are we going to attempt to grow in knowledge and wisdom, or are we going to render the lip service that has gotten us to where we are at today? Only a strong, healthy Christian can stand firm in the fight ahead of us; the children routinely stay home in a war. We need to grow into mature Christians who not only know right from wrong, but who have grown to desire the right over the wrong.
I want to make an appeal to all Christians: Jesus is coming soon, and the more we focus on ourselves, the less impact we can make on those around us. Remember for this new year: taking the message of Jesus out from ourselves is what we are here for. Let us commit this new year to being about our Father’s business.
-Charles Peterson