"2015 Is Coming!"

2015 is upon us! New Year's Day is this coming Thursday! The beginning of a new year is always a good time for reflection and also setting goals.

I think it appropriate for us to look back over the past year and ask ourselves, "What did I accomplish last year…what were my goals and how did I measure up in the achievement of those goals?" Did I make improvements in my life during 2014 or did I just mark time by getting through each day? Did I grow as a Christian during the past year?

Paul gave the Ephesians some sublime admonition in chapter 5 verses 15 through 17. (We do not know if this was for the beginning of a New Year but it certainly works for that.) "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." This embodies some great New Year's resolutions.

"Circumspectly" is regarding something that is circular by nature. Paul is saying we should beware and watch all around on our daily walk to ensure that something doesn't slip up on us unexpectedly. Truly, "...the days are evil..." and we can do no better than to be careful.

We "redeem the time..." when we make the best of every day. To redeem is to trade something for another thing. In this regard the apostle is saying that we should trade our time for something good and valuable.

There is no better way that these things can be accomplished outside of "...understanding what the will of the Lord is." There is no greater New Year's resolution than to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." This is the only way one can "...know what the will of the Lord is."

These are great resolutions for the New Year! Let's all take some time and reflect on our lives and the changes that need to be made and let's resolve to work on those changes during 2015. Then next year, at this time, we can look back and see how well we achieved our goals.

In Christian Love,