2019—New Year, New Plan

I want to make my life count for eternity, don’t you?

Since we are between pastors at church, we have been enjoying a series of guest speakers. Recently, Dr. Ed Glenny has delivered a few sermons that have impacted me, especially  a new year’s sermon about making our lives count for eternity. His text was the oldest Psalm in the Bible, Psalm 90:

Since then, I’ve spent some time praying this verse, and asking myself the questions Dr. Glenny posed:

• How can I increase my enjoyment of God in 2019?
• For whose salvation will I pray most earnestly this year?
• How can I improve my family life?
• What’s my biggest time waster and what am I going to do about it?
• What’s the most humanly impossible thing I’m going to ask God to do this year?
• How can I leave an eternal legacy vs. building sandcastles on the shore that will be swept away as if never there?

Challenging questions! (Thanks, Dr. Glenny.) I’m still contemplating the answers.

He reminded us that we are each given approximately 70 years (25,567 days) of life, and that we should plan and use them wisely, because when this life is over, we will be called upon to give an account of our days. I don’t want to wander aimlessly in the wilderness for 40 years; I want to accomplish something for God, don’t you?

He also reminded us that works done for self or the world evaporate like drops of water on hot pavement, but works done for God are like living water that flows into the stream of life and the ocean of eternity. Love those images!

So, what am I doing differently this year in light of this?

As I mentioned, I’m still contemplating all that God would have me do, but so far, here’s what I’m doing differently in 2019:

I’ve begun a “Read through the Bible in a year” program online through a sister-author’s accountability group: Bible Girls 2019. We’re already through Genesis and are into Exodus. One down, 65 books to go! It feels so good to be regularly reading God’s word.

I bought myself a 2019 Christian Planner, which includes not only the usual calendars and space to write appointments, but also has pages for sermon notes and daily health and spiritual goals. I’m still growing accustomed to this larger-size planner, but I like it so far. (This one’s my favorite color. :))

I’m contracted to write two books this year: a full-length novel as usual, plus a Christmas novella. I am hoping my planner plus my renewed determination to make my life count (and waste less time) will help me accomplish this goal.

What are you doing differently this year? Whatever it is, I hope your 2019 is off to a good start!