As the beginning of another year rapidly approaches, Christians can use this time in three ways: as a reminder, as an opportunity, and as a warning.
The New Year is a Reminder – The fact that we have made it through this year should remind us of the blessings God has bestowed upon us. Paul noted, “In Him we live and move and exist” (Acts 17:28). James reminded his readers that all blessings come from above (James 1:17). What is even more amazing is that this has happened since the Creation. In Lystra, Paul told the crowd that God “did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). God continues to do this even today on account of the promise He made to Noah: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). During this time of year we can reflect upon the blessings we have already received and look forward to the blessings of the new year we will receive by His providence.
The New Year is an Opportunity – While Paul recognized that the eternal reward with Christ was far better than anything of this life, he was determined to use his time on earth productively. He told the church in Philippi, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me” (Philippians 1:21-22). As long as he had life in him, Paul was going to use his time as an opportunity to do good. We can look at the new year as an opportunity for many things, including spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18), helping others (Galatians 6:10), and spreading the gospel (1 Peter 3:15; Acts 8:4). We should strive to make “the most of [our] time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).
The New Year is a Warning – The wise man wrote of our “fleeting life” which we have “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:9). James issued this reminder: “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). As this year ends, we cannot help but be reminded of the fact that time is quickly passing away. We can never go back and reclaim the time that has past. Instead we are steadily moving toward our common fate – death. “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Not only will we die, but following our death we will “all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). The passing of time should be a warning for us to prepare for this appointment.
As we get ready for another year on the calendar, let us remember God’s blessings, resolve to serve Him and grow in Him, and always be prepared for our time on earth to finally come to an end.
