Christmas season – end of a year; New Year’s – the beginning of a year!
Is there any habit you would like to start or stop? I figure this is a good time to take a look back and a look ahead. So what did you experience this year that you hope you won’t ever have to do again? What experiences would you like to repeat in 2025? Are there habits that you would like to start in the new year or habits you would like to quit?
What a year we’ve been through, huh? The presidential election in November seemed to dominate our time, attention, and prayer focus. Whether you agree with the outcome or not, there does seem to be an optimism and a more positive atmosphere for things in our nation to change for the better.
Personally, I hope to continue praying for our leaders to experience and even lead the nation to a devotion and worship of Jesus Christ. That can happen and still allow others who don’t have that goal to worship however and whomever they choose. But here is what I know. Without Jesus at the center of my life and Holy Spirit guiding my thoughts, decisions, actions, and reactions, I am a mess. I want Jesus to be central in my life and yours and everyone’s life.
You may think that I am being too narrow-minded since there are so many options out there regarding who controls our thoughts and actions. So the question comes: Who else would be wise enough, smart enough, loving enough, powerful enough, generous enough, stable enough, and far-sighted enough to take control of our lives?
The longer I follow this Jesus of Nazareth, the more I realize that I can’t do life well without Him. I have watched others try different “idols”, “masters”, “leaders”, and “things/stuff” as the main target in life or the one for whom to live. I also know that there are many good things and good people who deserve consideration, but none like the child who became Savior who will return as King -Jesus of Nazareth.
So as this year closes in our Dec. 31 and January 1, 2025 approaches, would you join me taking inventory of who REALLY rules our lives? For who are you REALLY living? Are you ready to live 2025 better than you did 2024? Oh, I know it is none of my business, and you won’t ever have to answer to me. But the test that determines the wisdom of our choices is not a written test with answers on a page. No, it is the test of life – one day at a time culminating in a lifetime when we stand before the Savior and review what we did with the time we had in this life. I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your lord.” He knows we won’t do this life perfectly. We already blew perfection long ago. He is our perfection and our right standing with God. He offers it to us and promises to never leave or forsake us even beyond 2025!!
One more time – in 2025 what do you want to do differently or do over and what would you like to have a do-over if it were possible?