Articles
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The following excerpt is from the December 2018 issue of “Power for Today”, written by
the late husband of Susan Giboney, a regular contributor of the publication.
Fortunate men everywhere will witness the birth of a new year, another chance, another
challenge. A new era where unrealized dreams may be dreamt again and old fears fought and
overcome. Man is granted a little more time—to build, to repair, to re-do, to change. It seems
altogether fitting that the birth of Christ and the birth of a new year should be remembered so
closely together. For one adds time to life and the other life to time—both vital to share in the
spirit that yearly sweeps America and causes people to be more cheerful, compassionate, peace
loving and Christ-like than perhaps at any other time of the year. With all its deficiencies,
inconsistencies, and absurdities, Christmas still is somehow a testimony to the world that Christ
in the hearts of people can make this world a better place.
It is that time again to take stock of what we have accomplished in the last 12 months and
what we hope to accomplish in the next 12 months (the Lord willing). Perhaps the greatest
challenge is looking back to see what we have accomplished, if anything —good or bad. That
sounds negative, but sadly, many may be able to look back and see very little difference in their
service to the Lord from one year to the next. Thus the reason to set down goals for ourselves as
measuring sticks of achievement. If we fail to set down goals, then we resign ourselves to be
content to float along in life in the hopes that perhaps spiritual growth will actually take place.
I would like to challenge each of us this year to examine ourselves closely (2 Cor. 13:5) to
determine in what areas we are lacking in our spirituality. Have we taken on a servant role that
demands getting out of our “comfort zone”? Have we determined to set aside time each day to
spend in God’s Word and in prayer? Without either of these we are doomed to remain ignorant
of God’s will for each of us (Hosea 4:6). Have we determined to “up” our contribution for the
Lord? This is another one of those areas that unless we determine (“purpose”, 2 Cor. 9:7) to give
more, then we are unlikely to do so. Have we determined to identify one person (friend, family,
or co-worker) whom we can invite to worship with us, or perhaps join in reading the Bible
together? Have we determined to meet with the saints every time they gather together?
We have the opportunity to change (for the better) how we serve our Lord and Savior. Will
you determine today to “raise the bar” in your service to the Lord this year? ~P. Mowrer
