Do you ever have times in your life when you wish that you could just stand up and shout to the world “FREEZE!” ?? That’s kind of how I feel right now. The realization that I’m embarking on a new year has finally ‘registered’ in my mind. I can hardly believe that 2008 has come to an end and 2009 has begun! Somehow 365 days have flown by without me even realizing it. The Lord rightly said that man’s life is like a vapor! I wish that there was just someway that I truly could freeze time so it wouldn’t go by so quickly.
As I enter this new year, the Lord brings to mind a very soul-searching and thought-provoking question: How much time have I spent this past year in selfish pursuits, instead of in the furtherance of God’s kingdom?
Over the past two or three years a letter penned by Jim Elliot has always spoken to my heart around the beginning of a new year...where one question Jim asks, “how much will have to be consumed at the glance of His flaming eye?” caught my attention. I believe that the ‘flaming eye’ he refers to will be revealed at the judgment seat...
This ‘flaming eye’, this ‘holy fire’ shall someday burn any part of my life that does not completely measure up to scripture and utterly glorify my God. My every action, thought, word, etc…. they will all be judged by this terrifying flame. Like Mr. Elliot, I must ask myself: how much of my life will my holy God be obligated to ‘chalk up’ as being only worthless wood, hay, and stubble? Truly, how much will remain of value that I can cast before his throne and glorify HIM with? If I am to be completely honest with myself, I must confess that much of what I’ve done this last year will be of little or no value to Him. (Remember, God judges your inward, heart motivation- not just your outward 'good deeds')
Yes, as a child of God, He in His abounding mercy has forgiven me of my failures. But oh, how I still wish there were some way that I could go back and relive certain parts of my life. (Maybe instead of “freeze” what I really want to say is “rewind”!!)
I know this is hard. All you have to do is ask my family, and they’ll tell you how often I fail at using my every moment for Christ. I know there are - as Jim puts it- enormous obstacles within and without to prevent godly living. So many ‘little incidentals’ barge into our lives, begging us to take our eyes off of Christ and place them instead on the problems. The devil himself is out to keep us from glorifying God with our time. Please don’t allow yourself to get so discouraged that you just throw your hands up in the air, proclaim that you’re hopeless, and quit trying altogether. Praise the LORD- we have a wonderful God who delights in doing the impossible! He will speedily fly to our aid if we ask Him. He will always gladly supply the needed strength to live as He has designed.
Let me challenge you to join me in remembering this great judgment that will someday take place.
Remember that once 2009 passes, you’ll never be able to recall those days. God has given us such a precious gift wrapped in the name of “Life”, but we may only keep it for a short time. While we have yet procession of this treasure, let us (by God’s grace and help) use it in a way that won’t make us ashamed in that last day. Our Master could come any moment. Let Him not find His servants sleeping, but rather in the business of redeeming the time!
Oh, may God bless all of you in an amazing way during this new year. May you all grow closer than ever before to our Savior!
-Rachel Beth
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