A Time To...

Dec 29, 2023 | by Diana Wade

This week I have been thinking about time. We can tell from the way the sun rises and sets that our Heavenly Father put some thought into it. The song said, “sunrise, sunset, swiftly go the years”. If you are over 50 you can readily understand that. But the question I am asking myself this week is, “how am I going to use the time God gives me in 2024?”

There are many songs about time. Here are some of the quotes: 

"If I could save time in a bottle"

"Time is on out side"

"Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?"

"It's gonna take some time this time"

"Sitting on the dock of the bay—wasting time"                  

Have you ever “wasted” your time? How do we “spend” our time? Because, really, it is a commodity that won’t last forever—except in heaven…

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us this: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ...

Jesus told us this about His return to the earth in Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” There is a day and hour—a time—when He will return.

So, since there is a time for everything, it’s probably best to be aware of how we’re “spending” it.

Let’s be aware that “New Year’s Resolutions” are usually a waste of time. Good intentions often fall by the wayside. Maybe a better approach to the New Year of 2024 would be to make it our goal to follow the words of our Lord by:

1.     Forgiving if we’re holding an offense in our heart—even if we’re never asked. (Mark 11:25)

2.     Blessing those who persecute us—maybe a little difficult, but worth the effort. (Romans 12:14)

3.     Speaking words of life—instead of condemnation. (Ephesians 4:29)

4.     And, in line with number 3, “thinking” before we speak. (James 1:19)

If you are reading this today, you are among those of us who are blessed to look forward to a New Year. Let’s make this a year of “spending” our time telling people about the wonderful freedom Jesus came to give them and the blessing of living their life IN HIM. Let’s tell them of His Love, His Forgiveness, and His Promise of a New Life in Him. Let’s “spend our time” serving others and pointing them to the One Who has the answer to every question they have. That’s “time well spent” for eternity.

I am thankful to serve you in anyway. I look forward to worshiping with you in 2024!

Pastor Diana