Measuring the Worth of A Year by Henry Blackaby

Life is very short, at best. It passes quickly, and it is uncertain at all times. James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. David understood this all too well and pleaded unto the Lord: Psalm 39:4-5 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

Like the years before, 2006 passed very quickly. Did you take time to take a careful and thorough inventory of not only the events of the year, but how you lived your life through those events? If not, take the time to meditate on each of the following questions:

-- Did I gain a heart of wisdom as I passed through the year 2006?

-- Am I a better person?

-- Am I a wiser person?

-- What consequences have resulted in my life, and the lives of others, from the decisions I made?

-- Did I learn through tragedy?

-- Did I invest in the lives of others?

-- Was I a good steward of what came to me in 2006?

-- What happened in my family in 2006?

-- Have I gained a maturity toward Christlikeness?

-- Did I gain a greater knowledge of God through the Scriptures?

-- Did my prayer life grow deeper with God?

-- Did I clearly help my church?

-- Did I become more effective as a Christian in my workplace?

-- Am I walking more confidently in God's will for my life?

-- Have I positioned myself to even greater heights in 2007?

If you answered "No" or "I'm not sure" to any of these then you need to ask yourself, "Why?" Why did 2006 not measure up to God's desired will for my life? Why did I not seek God with all my heart? Why did I not grow as a Christian? Was I self-centered instead of God-centered?

Do you need to remove sinful habits from your life? If so, ask God to remove those. Or perhaps you have broken relationships. Ask Him to forgive your transgressions against others and to remove any sin that is causing you and those around you harm. Or, if necessary, ask Him to place within you a heart of forgiveness towards those who have sinned against you. Do not let your heart be filled with anger. Regardless of the circumstances, you must go and mend any broken relationships with family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. These relationships need to be redemptively resolved in order to honor God in the year ahead.

In 2007 be inspired to be God's best! Be determined that all of the questions posed here will be answered this time next year with an emphatic and resounding "Yes!" Allow God to move you from where you are now to where He wants you to be. Make the right choices for your life and grow closer to Him. Ask God to fill your life, and the lives of those you touch, with joy and gladness. And finally, surrender your life fully to Him so that He can create in you "a clean heart" and a greater spiritual maturity with each passing day.