The year is 2023. It is a little strange to type that date. 2022 is now nothing more than a memory. The changes you hoped to achieve now moved to 2023, or have you given up together? The ticking of time does not stop. It continues to march on. With every moment spent, we do not get that time back. We can press and try to return what once was, but not even the most influential people can regain their time once it is gone.
If we are sincere, I believe we all would admit that all this is a little depressing. Or it could just be me. In any case, it does not change the reality that time is constant. It persistently passes. And it is good. Yes, you read it right. It is good.
From the start of humankind’s birth in the Garden of Eden, with Adam being created and then Eve, God had time in motion. He made day and night and called it good. So time is to be cherished and used to worship our Lord and Savior.
Think about it. We have the incredible privilege of living with struggles and success. We know how good it feels to strive to achieve to mess up but finally break through with great success. I can’t help but think of Thomas Edison.
Thomas Edison was a great inventor, someone we all owe a lot of thanks to, as he is famous for his research and success in constructing the electric light bulb. I am sure Edison would marvel at the modern-day lights like Philips Hue and Nanoleaf bulbs that change color on the whim of a telephone app. He’d also marvel at the telephone with the small pixels used to light the screen. Yet, he is the one who launched us down the road to these great technologies we all experience to some degree or another.
Yet, the road was not easy for Edison. When asked about what it was like to fail so many times while trying to invent the light bulb, we were given one of the best quotes from Edison. He is quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Talk about having a good outlook on the situation. As we know from history, Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. Yet, if he had stopped at any point. He would have failed. But because he persisted and persevered, he is in our history books as one of the great inventors in history.
No matter what struggles you are going through, remember they are making you stronger. If you trust the Lord and keep your eyes fixed on his goodness, he will use the season of difficulty to shape you to be more like him.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Time is critical. It is the most expensive resource we have in our lives. Once it’s spent, it is never recovered again. So how are you spending your time? What does your time in 2023 look like?
Here are four areas you need to spend your time on in the new year.
1. Your personal devotional life.
Commit yourself to spending at least 15 minutes every morning with the Lord. That should look like five minutes of praying, five minutes of reading, and five minutes of reflecting on what you have read and memorizing scripture.
Keep in mind this is a starting place. Once you consistently meet with the Lord for 15 minutes a day, add another five minutes. It should be every couple of weeks. Do this until you consistently meet with the Lord for an hour in the mornings. It will change your life.
2. Your church life.
The second most valuable thing in your life is not your family, while they are significantly important. It is the church. Now let me explain briefly why. Jesus said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37-38). The significance of this verse is excellent. Jesus isn’t saying hate your family. He is saying love me so much more than family. We love God by spending time with him, worshipping him, learning about him, growing more like him, sharing about him with others, and living out the faith. All these things are done through a solid personal devotional life and involvement in a local Bible-believing and teaching church.
3. Your family life.
Your family is the third most valuable thing you can invest in the new year. This is the number one priority that is not dealing directly with your relationship with the Lord. It is your priority as a mission field and discipleship central. It’s far too easy to miss the mark on time with family. We live in a digital age that zaps family time. I’m guilty as anyone on this front. Yet, if you will take the time and protect it, to protect your family investment time. Your family will grow closer and know how much they are truly cherished.
4. Your mission life.
Whether you are a blue-collar or white-collar worker, God has a great plan to use you to shine the love of God and share it with those around you. Every one of us has been given a mission to make disciples where we are and as we go about our life. But, it can be intimidating to get started, especially in a job that frowns upon faith discussions.
But there are tons of resources to help you get started. I highly recommend the Three Circles method if you have never shared your faith with someone. It is accessible and approachable. Also, it uses things you already know from your own salvation experience.
As we kick off the new year this week, will you choose to spend your time flippantly, or will you commit to investing in what God desires? No matter what you choose, time will not wait for you.
