Pastoral Letters

The Last Month before End of First Quarter

March 7, 2021 Author:Pastor Andrew Tan
We usually keep track of a year by quarters. When we neared the end of last year, we may have said something like, “Time really flies. This is the final month of the year.” At this time, we are nearing the end of the first quarter of the year. To some extent, we might be relieved that the first quarter has not ended. Thus, if we had done nothing much in the first two months of the first quarter, we might comfort ourselves, saying, “I still have another month before the first quarter ends.” This is like saying, “Today is still Saturday. I still have Sunday to rest before I start work on Monday.” True. The first quarter of the year has not ended. But if we continue wasting time, the first quarter would end with nothing done.

My point is: If you are still wasting time, before you know it, another year would have passed. I urge you to make a conscious effort to make good use of every hour of the day. The reason is because, as Paul says, “the days are evil” (Eph 5:16), that is, there are many sinful things that will prevent you from making good use of time.

And time is well used only when it produces eternal value. Time is well used only when what you do wins you God’s praise at the final judgment. If you use time to win the world without winning God’s praise, you would have wasted your time because these things will completely disappear one day. Why use your precious life to exchange for things that are temporal? Doing that would be like spending $500,000 to renovate the hotel in which you would be staying only for 5 days. Surely, you would not do such a foolish thing. Thus, do not spend your time doing things that do not have eternal value.

What wins you God’s praises that last for eternity? “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present and the life to come” (1 Tim 4:8). First, work hard to grow in godliness. Work hard to study and practise God’s Word. Only God’s Word is powerful to cleanse you of sin. Resist sin. Be faithful in the various spiritual disciplines, including your Sunday Worship, Quiet Time, Sunday School, fellowship/cell group meetings, and prayer. Encourage and comfort one another to press on with following the Lord. Lifeis tough. Be kind to each other. Forgive. Love, Encourage. Take care of each other.

Second, serve the Lord faithfully. Then when the Lord comes to judge you, He will praise you, saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21). Do not be discouraged. Do not allow your sinful nature or ungodly people prevent you from serving the Lord. Persevere with patience. The Lord may not come immediately, but He will definitely come, and come to reward you.

Make a conscious effort to ensure that every hour contributes directly or indirectly to work that has eternal value. Do not let a day pass without doing something eternal.