If I chose to follow the traditional salutation then it would be appropriate for me to greet you with the phrase “Happy New Year.” I would rather pose a question for you to answer: “What Should I Do With Another Year?”

This is the same question I asked my church members on the first Sunday of this New Year. The very fact that it’s called a New Year requires us to take a different approach to the challenges that follow us from the previous year and the opportunities that lay before us this year. When it comes to a new year, people of faith generally talk about what God is going to do. This year, however, I challenge you to put the onus on what you, as an individual, are going to do? God already has His part worked out; He is faithful. Understand that this is a year of transition, decision and restoration, and I want to make sure you are properly focused on what you need to do and think for this year.

In the Gospel of St. Luke 13: 6-9, Jesus tells the parable of “a certain man that had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said, unto him, Lord let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down.” (KJV)

Given the economic climate in our nation and around the world, more will be required of us as the Scripture suggests: more digging, more dunging (meaning more plan development), more caution before purchasing, more prayer development, more family development, simply put more everything! However, the year is a gift of grace, a chance to finish the repositioning that we ultimately need to be more productive.


Regard

Hilton Appollis
www.lesediafrica.org