Spiritual Resolution

Once again the calendar has flipped leaving behind another year and propelling us into the sixth year of the second millennium. Scientist tell us this is also the year we need to add one second to our time pieces to catch up with the rest of the universe. I have no idea where they come up with this stuff, but I imagine I’ll find something to do to fill the extra time they’ve allotted me. It’s not a leap year, so we don’t have to figure out what to do with a whole extra day. Our leaders are still contemplating the extension of Daylight Savings Time, if only they can figure out what to do with all the electronically timed devices we use every day that automatically adjust one hour forward or backwards at the current schedule. I suppose it will end up something like forcing High Definition TV on all of us. Oh well, let me tell you about one of my New Years resolutions. I’ve always read about the futuristic products coming to the consumer and I plan to continue reading a little about a lot of things, whether I understand it or not. From what I can understand, the next five years are going to bring about huge changes in the world that will directly impact all of us, and like it or not we’re all going to have to educate ourselves every day or get left behind. Ha! Really nothing new under the sun, because if all of us look back twenty years I think we’d discover we never dreamed we’d be doing some of the things we do today or we’re already lost in the flood of technology.
Another year is dawning; Dear Father let it be; In working or in waiting; Another year with thee. Another year of progress; Another year of praise; Another year of proving, thy presence all the days. Another year of mercies; Of faithfulness and grace; Another year of gladness; the glory of thy face. Another year of leaning, upon thy loving breast; Another year of trusting; Of quiet, happy rest. Another year of service; Of witness for thy love; Another year of training, for holier work above. Another year is dawning; Dear Father, let it be; On earth, as it is in heaven; Another year for thee.
[Ecclesiastes 12: 9-14] My most used study Bible introduces Solomon’s book as follows: “Life seems inconsistent, unpredictable, and unfair at times. No matter the generation, no matter the time in history, the righteous and the wicked have the same experiences, face the same trials, and grapple with the same problems. And all end up in the grave! As people grow older they look back and see what a breath, what a vapor, life is. It passes so quickly. What was its purpose? Was what we strove to obtain worth it? Did we live as we should have? What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? And what is the conclusion of it all?” I think no one experienced life to the fullest as did Solomon. Did he regret some of his experiences? I think all of us can say yes to that, including Solomon. What is life? It is a gift from God and without God involved in my life, life becomes meaningless. Read the entire book of Ecclesiastes. In it you’ll find several warnings to those who do not include God in their life. No matter how unfair we see life, it will not go well for the wicked in the end. A good New Years resolution for everyone would be to focus on their spirituality. No, don’t get all weird about it. Start investigating and studying to answer some of the questions you have about yourself. Is this life all there is, and do I truly need to be preparing for the spiritual life that follows? Awaken your spirit. Let God in, and discover a peaceful, fulfilling life.