Happy New Year!
There's a hopeful ring to that phrase. The idea of new beginnings, second chances, and forgotten pasts is inspiring.
Priorities. Now, that's as scary as the new year is hopeful! The thought of actually squaring off and facing our lives with the serious intention of judging our own productivity is often intimidating at best!
We feel that if we can somehow harness the hope of the new year, we'll be able to wrestle all the ingredients of our busy lives to the ground and get control.
Control. That's what everyone longs for. There must be a way to control the balance between home, children, work and play. But there are so many demands from everyone and everything.
After all, aren't good Christians who walk in love supposed to "be there" for those who need them? Spouses, parents, children, employers, employees, the church, friends, neighbors and so on? Even those who live quietly alone are often faced with the pressure of needing to make changes in their not-busy-enough lives.
There are just more demands on each of us than we care to count, and each one is screaming to claim the title of Number One Priority. The hope of the new year fades quickly as we get swallowed once again by our complicated lives.
I'm sure you identify with this overwhelming picture, but you also know I won't leave you in that condition!
The truth is there is a way. The sense of hope the new year brings is of God. He designed the seasons, the calendar and time itself. He planned so that we are always moving toward the end of one thing and the beginning of another.
With every year's end, we should experience a satisfaction because of our accomplishments, and with each new year have hope for correcting our mistakes, gaining new vision and having an even more productive year.
It's a great plan, but how do we tap into it? With all the elements of our lives, it would seem that the answer must be complicated. But leave it to Jesus to make it simple. He understands us so well. In Luke 10:45, Jesus said to Martha, "Only one thing is needful."
One? Just one?
Just one. And that one thing is to seat yourself at the Lord's feet (v. 39). That's what Mary did and the Lord called that the "good part."
It Begins At His Feet
Everything the Lord requires of us begins at His feet.
It's actually very simple, but often not so easy. We're so compelled to go and do, even in the things God requires of us. We think we aren't pleasing Him or anyone else unless we are doing.
But the doing becomes confusing when we do not take the time to sit at the feet of Jesus. He is the Alpha and Omega. We must begin and end everything with Him—each new year and each new day.
One reason the new year becomes just another old year is that we try to change everything at once. Then if by February it's not all different, we give up and fall back to the same ol', same ol'.
But each year is made up of each day. Sit at the feet of Jesus each day. Let Him speak to you through His Word. Let His Spirit imprint you so that you daily take on more of His nature, wisdom, and ability.
Bring Him the issues of your life and let Him prioritize them by what He speaks to your heart first. Let each day be a building block toward the year's end, and each year a building block toward the coming of the Lord.
In Philippians 1:10, Paul prayed, "...that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value."
One thing is needful. One thing is vital. That is the time you spend with Jesus. The sitting at His feet. That is what is of real value-not just in the morning, but all during the day.
With every new demand, with each decision we face, we must reflect back to Him. What has He told us? If we are uncertain, then we must run back to His feet until we've heard what the Master has to say.
It may seem that this just isn't enough to bring you the control of your life that you so long for. But it is. After all, He is God. And, after all, you are not. He will not compete with you or chase you. But He will wait for you.
Begin now, before another year slips by. Get your Bible and note pad, find your secret place and do the one needful thing. Sit at the feet of Jesus.
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