December 31, 2009

2010 - Time for a change... again??

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

It's the end of 2009 and the start of 2010 so I’m thinking about change... again! For those of you who think about resolutions, please note that I am not a big fan of them. I think that we generally don't follow them anyway. When we really resolve to do something to change our lives, it is usually at a time in our life when we are to the point that we see the need for change and we have the proper conditions. Apostle Paul was great on pressing ahead. He saw his need to change in relation to the heavenly prize.

I'm always for anything to change for better my life and relationships with the Lord. When it boils down to it, bettering ourselves as Christians involves bettering our relationships with God. We have to draw closer to Him before we can improve our Christian lives and our dedication toward people.

Sometime ago I’ve heard that when missionary Dr. David Livingstone was working in Africa, a group of friends wrote him: “We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?” Dr. Livingstone sent this message in reply: “If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.”

There’s a big difference between just being interested in doing something and actually changing yourself doing it. Just being interested allows us the freedom do a thing only when our circumstances permit. However, making a commitment to change means accepting no excuses and no reservations — it means putting aside our fears and uncertainties and moving forward as Apostle Paul. Dr. Livingstone was looking for results, and this required men of commitment!

We've all got to live the Christian life just one day at a time. That in turn will cause us to have that change in our Christian life that we all so greatly need. Just live better for God, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment and that will add up to our best for Him not only for this New Year but for our entire lives as well. With 2010 under way, let’s make some commitments! Our Lord, our families, our jobs and our churches are awaiting us!