By Shane Kastler
What is your New Year's resolution this year? Have you made any? Do you plan to? They usually center around matters of personal improvement, like losing weight or exercising more. Some will make commitments to spend a little less time at work and a little more time with the family. All of these may very well be worthy causes. But in all your focus on temporal matters, do not neglect spiritual ones. How is your walk with the Lord? How was it last year, and how might it be better this year?
Maybe this year you can commit to waking up 10 minutes earlier so you can spend that time in God's Word. Or maybe you can take a few minutes to write down your prayer needs so to better govern your prayer time. Maybe you can make a daily commitment to be on the lookout for someone to help or to share Christ with. God provides a lot of opportunities for his people to be a witness, the question is: Are we paying attention?
I've never been a big fan of resolutions in particular. To my way of of thinking, if you should be doing it today, then why wait unto January 1 to start? But others find the New Year as motivation to make changes in their life. Stick with whatever works for you and plan 2020 accordingly.
One thing is for certain for all of us: the clock is ticking and our time on earth is one year less than it was 365 days ago. What will you do with the time you have left? I'll leave you with this pertinent admonition for the coming year, from the book of Proverbs: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart , and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) So look to the Lord and trust in Him today, tomorrow, this upcoming year, and for the rest of your time on earth. Love God now, and spend eternity with Him in the future. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all who faithfully read this column. Thanks for giving me another year! God bless you all.
