A few of us may lament – “O! How time flies!” The festive season of feasting and enjoyment during Chinese New Year has come. Even as we speak, the season will soon be gone. Soon, we will be thrust back into the reality of continuing our journey, possibly working even harder to meet the challenges laid ahead of us for another year.
As we spend our time this new year, Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 5:15-16 “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Many a time, we waste our time in doing unprofitable tasks which are of no eternal value. These tasks seek to please self and humans rather than God.
We can redeem time by cutting down on watching television, idling away or indulging in self-pleasure. Let us be disciplined and organized. Do not create mess, but instead be more productive and efficient. We can plan ahead and be punctual for every appointment and exercise discipline in keeping to time.
We can redeem time by seizing every opportunity to build up our spiritual life. One way is to enroll in our church bible reading program, if you have not already done so. Challenge yourself to complete reading the Bible in this year 2014, or embark on reading the bible another time through. Another is to commit to the scripture memory initiatives. Yet another is to commit to attending the cell group meetings on a monthly basis. A fourth is to commit to praying and labouring to win souls for the Lord in 2014. Have a person in mind whom you can reach and share the gospel with this year.
Paul further exhorts us in Eph 5:17-20 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
You can make it a point to attend the worship service, cell group and prayer meetings faithfully. You may visit each other during the cell group meeting with hymns, mutual encouragement and support for each other in our spiritual life. Do block your leave and make it a point to attend this year’s church camp.
We can make use of every opportunity to care for others. Care for your brethren. Visit the sick and help the helpless. Keep our hearts warm towards God. Let not our hearts be cold towards God and His work. Keep our lives away from sin, the world and our selfish fleshly desires. Let us continue to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Let us seize every opportunity to be a good father, mother, husband, wife and child, student, Sunday school student, evangelist, employee, brethren, good brother and a good sister.
With so much to do, we really ought to redeem our time. May God grant us grace to make use of every opportunity to live for God in the New Year! Let us live a victorious Christian life for our Lord Jesus Christ, that through it all, we may give glory and honour to our Almighty Creator God who has made us in His own image.