365 Days to Make a Difference

 Every year, we have 365 days, 8,760 hours, or 31, 556,952 seconds to make a difference in our lives or someone else’s.  Whether we like it or not, someone is always watching. If you have children at home, they are definitely watching. If you are married, your spouse is watching. When you go to the grocery store, the market, a restaurant, or a ballgame, everyone is watching.

We may think our actions and words have no effect on others, but that is incorrect. More importantly, the one who is impacted the most is the one you see in the mirror each day. Yep…You, Me, Us. If we say we are Christian, then everything we do and say should reflect that. I remember this phrase from computer class, GIGO, ‘garbage in, garbage out.’ That works for computers and our lives. If we fill our lives with garbage, then that is what is shown to others.

Hebrews 5:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Our faith cannot grow if we put ourselves in situations that cause us to fail. If you know that watching a ballgame may cause you to curse GOD, then stop watching games. If reading romance novels has you thinking about someone other than your spouse, stop reading the novels. Even the music we listen to and the television shows we watch can have a negative impact on our lives.

Only with GOD’s help can we grow and overcome challenges.

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

When we keep ourselves super busy, we keep ourselves away from GOD. When we keep the radio on, the tv turned up loud, we are missing the opportunity to listen for HIS whisper. Just so you know, I’m writing this to myself as much as I am to you. 

I struggle with quietness and being still. I do have responsibilities of teaching and translating, but there are times that I could be listening for GOD’s voice, learning to discern HIS message in the Word instead of reading a mystery.

We make time for so many different things in our lives, but not enough time for GOD and HIS Word. This message came up on my Bible app.

“Whatever you’re going through matters to God. Take a deep breath and prepare your heart for His presence. This is your time to have an honest conversation with Someone who loves you.”  

Psalm 145:5 “On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.”

Being in GOD’s presence is a safe space. HE is waiting. What’s keeping us from HIS presence? Only in HIS presence, with HIS strength, and by HIS grace can we grow in our faith. If we only ‘see’  or ‘experience’ GOD on Sunday mornings for an hour, how can we grow? If we keep GOD inside the church building and nowhere else, how can we grow?

To change our negative habits, we must put in place new, positive ones. If cursing is a problem, ask GOD to tame your tongue (James 3:1-12). If having wrong thoughts is a problem, ask GOD to purify your thoughts (James 4:4-8). If drinking is a problem, ask GOD to take away your love for it (2 Corinthians 13:3; Proverbs 20:1).

If we want to change our habits, we can start small, 18 minutes a day until we reach 100 hours. There are many theories about starting and keeping new habits, but if we jump in with both feet and do too much, too fast, we will stop.

So, let’s start small to accomplish big things.

Happy New Year. Let’s put GOD first, CHRIST at the center of our hearts, and the HOLY SPIRIT in our homes.

PB




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