Another year flies by. This is a time when I reflect and recommit. I take a hard look at where I’ve been and where I want to be. It’s not so much a time for resolutions because, really, those would be the same every year. I have the same goals and dreams as last year, and the year before. I use this time for recommitting myself, for putting new systems in place, for weeding out bad habits that keep me stuck.
In this process, the most important question I ask myself is this:
Do I live every day as if Jesus might come back tomorrow?
In the book of Revelation, Jesus said:
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13
The painful, brutally honest answer is of course, no. I will never be so perfect as to live each day as if it is my last, to live each day as if I’ll be in the presence of Jesus the next. If that is my goal, all I can do is take steps toward it. There are many minutes in a day, and I can spend more of them wisely. I can spend more minutes loving those around me the way Jesus would want.
Again Jesus Said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” John 21:16
Jesus asks me, like he asks Simon Peter, to take care of his people. This is my purpose. As I assess how to move forward next year, I will keep this as my focus: to spend more minutes … hours … days … loving my people.
Dear Lord, I look forward to the day that you come back and take us to our real home. While I am here I want to live my life so that I reflect your love for me. Help me to overcome my sinful nature so that the minutes turn into days of loving others as you love. Amen
Diona
Sixty-six books in a year 
This is beautiful. It’s also a great reminder to me that I can get so caught up in the doing and the plans, that I sometimes put activity before hearts. My own heart has craved a homeward focus and intentional living. I love that a new year brings time to reconsider and recommit. Thank you for these true, encouraging words.
A great way to end the year by focusing on what is ahead.