This year 2016 is about to end. At the end of the year, each country, government, company and organization prepare for the year-end summary and make work plans for the upcoming new year.
What should Christians do at this special moment? The real pain of man stems from not knowing himself, what he is within, where he reaches and his faults.
Take time to review the past year and self-examination in front of God. If you want to be more blessed and stronger in the new year, take reflections. Rather than ask God blindly, you should count the grace God gave you in 2016 and how you responded to him.
Reflect on how we treat God in 2016
Did we often forget God?
There was a widow who raised her only son, the only hope and comfort since the death of her husband. Whatever difficulty she was in, she strove to support his study. After graduation from middle school, the son who was admitted to a bank worked as a clerk and became independent. However, she seemed more painful than before, because her son forgot her, never giving her money or taking her out. Despite no bad habits, the son didn't care her but enjoyed having fun with his friends.
Being disappointed, she returned to God and prayed, "God! I'm such a sinner because I forgot you just as my son didn't remember me. "
Are we like this son, busy with careers, families, and friends, instead of spending time with God?
A couple days ago, I saw a short English poem:
I got up early one morning
and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn't have time to pray.
...
I woke up early this morning,
and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray.
We can see two cases through this poem: in the first case, I'm too busy to pray; the another case shows that I'm so busy that I must pray, or I can't make it without the strength the Lord gives me.
Everyone is busy, consequently, there is no enough time to come to God. So the common phenomenon for this busy bunch is the emptiness and lack in their spirits.
God expects us to draw near to him because we're his children and he's our father who loves us. He wants us to enjoy his everything.
Stay with God at any time instead of seeking him only at hard times. Change our life habits and spend some time with God. Adjust your schedule and leave some time for God. I believe God will reward twice the time you give to him.
Reflect on our life in 2016
Everybody should examine himself, "how was my life in the past year?"
Psalm 139 can be called "prayer of reflection". Knowing himself incomplete and not guilty, David confesses that he often has no idea of some deeds that offend God, then he asks God to reveal his sins.
The poet prays, "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord...Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ...
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Therefore, examine yourself: "Is there any sin in my life I haven't confessed to Jesus Christ?"
"Are there some hidden motives detested by God inside me?"
"Are there some unclear sins ruling over me in my heart?"
Did I curse others with words or speak ill of others? Looking back your words, deeds and behavior, examine yourself and repent your sins, asking for his forgiveness.
We shall live a new life worthy of the calling you have received and produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Translated by: Karen Luo
