Time

(I've been reading many posts reflecting on this past year. Reflecting on the past is fine, as long as you don't get caught up in it. Remembering the past is important. If I want to remember the past I can simply read past posts. Right now, I want to look to the future--and this next year, 2012.) 

Recently I've been thinking about time. We, as humans, are bound by it. We measure life by it. Sometimes it seems to fly by in an instant and othertimes drag on for forever. Along with time, I've been thinking about how I spend my time and what really matters.

This past week, I noticed a little plaque in the house we stayed at. It wasn't fancy or especially eye catchy. It wasn't in a prominent place either. It sat tucked away in a corner on a dresser. The words it held were what caught my attention.


Wondering who the quote was by, I googled the short phrase. Only to discover that it was just a small part of a bigger work by a someone named C.T. Studd. A very convicting work by this someone indeed.

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

- C.T. Studd

So true. Time is fleeting, this life is short, and the only thing that matters in it is what is done for Christ--because that is what will last for an eternity. So my goal this new year is to do what really matters, God's will for my life.

"Rejoice always                     .

           pray without ceasing

 in everything give thanks

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Notice I said goal not resolution. A resolution is simply resolving or determining to do something. A goal is  'the end toward which effort is directed.' I don't simply want to resolve in and of myself to do something, I want a goal. I want a goal that I know I can't achieve in and of myself to do. I want a goal that only God can do through me. 

I want 2012 to be a year of God working in me and through my life. 

2012. 

a year of always rejoicing. 

of never ceasing to pray. 

of giving thanks in everything. 

because this is God's will in Christ Jesus for me. 

welcome, 2012!