Things To Do in 2008

Whether you watched the Rose Bowl or Sugar Bowl or football in some other form on New Year's Day, one thing for certain -- people seem to enjoy competitive contact sports -- whether watching or playing. Some have described football as a form of civilized war. While such descriptions may apply, another possibility comes to mind. We enjoy the association with victory, accomplishment, reaching goals, and facing challenges.

The same applies to life. In most cases the pride of accomplishment, the ability to reach goals, and the opportunity to face new challenges makes life both interesting and ever changing.

This New Year brings us individually and collectively a "benchmark" for considering what will mark our priorities for the next period of time. It may mean responding to changing circumstances, in which case, old plans often are drastically changed. It may mean continuing to work toward long established goals...moving forward slowly, but surely. It may mean setting new agendas based on current needs. But thinking about these things is an important process.

Prepare a plan for the year. It may be modified at points along the way, but look ahead carefully and consider what you might accomplish in the next twelve months.
Challenge yourself. Take up a new interest or pursuit of knowledge or understanding. Plan a trip, a journey you have never taken over a mountain or to a shore you have never before seen. Consider the way you contribute yourself in relationship to others. Risk making new friends, introducing yourself to new foods, stretching your world in ways that allow you to see and know more of the thoughts and backgrounds of others. Consider learning a new language, a spoken language or perhaps a computer language. How are you improving yourself in your capacities as a worker, or an employer, or as a volunteer?

Have you thought about what it would take to impact some other person with the good news of Jesus Christ. Have you considered discipling a young beleiver in the scriptures and spiritual disciplines of prayer, bible reading, and practical ministry? Have you considered what you already know may be the first step toward making a wonderful contribution to the lives of others...but it requires your giving of yourself to share. Have you considered becoming a hospital or hospice or soup kitchen volunteer? Have you interests in music or theatre or drama or writing that you could channel in ways to bring the knowledge of Jesus to others? Have you considered connecting your Christian faith with your daily walk -- with purpose and intention and joy?

2008 will allow you to watch a few more football games, or to enjoy an extra day in February (its leap year) or to cast a vote for a presidential contender, but will you offer in the name of Christ an expression of witness and love and ministry that may change someones future for all eternity?

Years ago a Jewish professor of mine at the University of Georgia shared her personal grief about not responding to the opportunity of utilizing her financial resources in the early years of World War II to help her fellow Jews to escape from the German holocaust. She said, "I have regretted all my life not spending that nestegg when it would have made such a difference." Many of our daily decisions will allow us to celebrate the opportunity of our choices or perhaps to regret what we did not do. I hope you will think about living in such a way, for the glory of God, that you have "no regrets." Blessings for a wonderful New Year.