As we stand at the threshold of a new year, many of us find ourselves contemplating our goals, plans, hopes, and dreams for the future. We may have aspirations to start something new or perhaps to let go of old habits. But how do we actually get there? How do we bridge the gap between our present reality and our desired future?
Let's embark on a thought experiment. Picture your current age in front of you, like those shiny birthday balloon numbers you might see at a celebration. Now, mentally leap forward five years. Can you envision your life half a decade from now? Chances are, it looks quite different from your present circumstances.
Life is in constant motion, and movement inevitably creates change. Some changes we anticipate and plan for, while others catch us by surprise. Think back to five years ago - the world was on the brink of a global pandemic, something few of us could have predicted. Similarly, the next five years will bring their own set of unexpected twists and turns.
But here's a profound truth we often overlook: while circumstances change, the core of who we are remains. Just as children grow bigger, stronger, and faster while retaining their essential nature, we too have the opportunity to grow deeper - in our thinking, our character, our faith, and our capacity to love.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, offers us wisdom on how to approach our lives and our time:
"But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!" (Romans 13:11-14, The Message)
Paul's words are a wake-up call. Time is precious, and it's moving whether we acknowledge it or not. We're cautioned not to become so consumed by our daily obligations that we become oblivious to God's work in our lives. Instead, we're encouraged to be alert and engaged with what God is doing.
But what exactly is God doing? Paul tells us He's "putting the finishing touches on the salvation work He began when we first believed." This is not a passive process - we're called to actively participate in this work of transformation.
Paul warns against wasting our time on things that ultimately exhaust us - frivolity, indulgence, dissipation, bickering, and grasping at everything we see. These activities might satisfy us in the moment, but they lack staying power. They're time stealers that rob us of the opportunity to grow and develop in our faith journey.
Instead, Paul gives us a simple yet profound instruction: "Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!" But what does it mean to dress ourselves in Christ? Paul elaborates in the preceding verses:
"Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code—don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love." (Romans 13:8-10, The Message)
To dress ourselves in Christ is to clothe ourselves in love. It's to orient our lives around loving others as we love ourselves. This is the foundation for personal growth and transformation.
As we contemplate our future selves, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking too small. We often overestimate what we can accomplish in the short term while underestimating what we can achieve in the long term. We try to cram everything into a short window, leaving us overwhelmed, overabsorbed, and exhausted.
Consider the story of walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Some pilgrims rush through each stage, heads down, determined to cover as much ground as possible. But in their haste, they miss out on the beauty of the countryside, the charm of quirky little towns, and the opportunity to connect with fellow travelers. They reach their destination exhausted, having missed out on the richness of the journey itself.
Instead of saying "New Year, New Me," let's look further ahead. What can your life look like in five years if you choose to dress yourself in Christ every day? There's so much you could accomplish in that time - learn a new language, earn a degree, master a new skill. But more importantly, you could radically transform your soul, growing closer to God than ever before.
Think about it: Jesus' earthly ministry lasted just three years. What if you dedicated the next five years to seeking His face? It's a profound thought. By dedicating time to spiritual growth and seeking a deeper connection with God, you embark on a transformative journey that can bring a sense of purpose, peace, and fulfillment to your life.
As we begin this new year and look ahead to the next five, let's keep two truths in mind:
1. Time isn't on our side - it keeps moving and doesn't wait for us.
2. Every day, we can choose to dress ourselves in Christ and make the best use of the time we have.
So, what will your life look like in five years if you let Jesus have His way? It's time to start that conversation with yourself and with God. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Today, take that step. Dress yourself in Christ, clothe yourself in love, and be up and about. The next five years of your life story are waiting to be written.