The end of 2024 was a ‘rat race.’ It is just so hard to wrap my head around the fact that this is 2025. What happened to the time?
As stated last time, this is the time of year that people make all sorts of resolutions for the New Year. Much of the resolution making is based on sincere desires to make ourselves better in some way. Lose some weight (big one for me), exercise more, save more, stay in better contact with friends and family and the list goes on and on. The vast majority of these resolution rarely see it to the end of the month. We abandon our resolutions faster than we can get started on them.
Let’s make this year different. Let’s resolve to make this year a year of growth in the Lord. Make it a fresh resolution to be in God’s house at every opportunity. Resolve to make God a priority and not your family. (Let’s face it…we are God’s family). Don’t skip church to spend time with family doing ‘fun’ things. You can go to the amusement park any time. The beach will be there tomorrow. That movie will be playing all week and prices are actually cheaper mid-week. Have the cook-out on Saturday instead and invite a neighbor to supper and to come with you to church the next day.
My resolution this year it to be used by the Lord for His glory and according to His will. I want to help my church grow and to reach out to the community. I resolve to be a blessing to those around me.
I want to echo the thoughts of the Apostle Paul, from Ephesians, chapter 5:
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].
And Paul would also encourage those Christians in Colossae; Colossians chapter 4:
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Let’s redeem our time doing the Lord’s work. Let us be about our Father’s business. Let’s be found doing His work. If the Lord should come back this year, let’s make sure that He finds us doing Kingdom work.
Here’s to a wonderfully productive 2025.
- ALAN MURPHY
