[My goal is to encourage us to make better use of the time we have left, and to prepare us for the day of reckoning that awaits us. Let's begin, then, by asking...]
[The questions I am raising can be summarized in this way: "Another
year has gone by; have we made good use of the time the Lord has given
us, or have we wasted it?"
It is likely that all of us in some degree have not made good use of
the past year. But at this point, let's apply the words of Paul:
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Php 3:13-14)
With this attitude of pressing forward, let me suggest the following resolutions...]
"A New Year, A New Beginning"
The old year ends, a new begins
With pages clean and new;
And what is written on each page
will now depend on you.
You can't relive the year that's past,
Erasing every wrong;
For once a year - or day - is spent,
It is forever gone.
But don't give up in dark despair
If you have failed some test;
Seek God's forgiveness and resolve
Henceforth to do your best.
Resolve each precious day to do
Things good and kind and pure;
Though days and years may pass away,
These things shall still endure.
You know not where your path may lead
Nor what's beyond the hill;
But know that God walks at your side,
If you will do His will.
All things are possible with God,
Though days be bright or dim;
So do your best and know that you
Can leave the rest to Him.
- Author Unknown
If you are not a Christian, or you are a child of God who has strayed from the Lord, you need to make the best use of the time you have now...
"We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: `In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2Co 6:1-2)