Burke County

Perhaps 2025 seemed to pass quickly for you as it did for me. It seems that the older I get, the faster time passes by. What seemed to take forever as a child seems to pass quicker than the blink of the eye. Now that we have ushered in 2026, we do well to take a spiritual inventory of where we are in our lives. In doing so, we must understand the importance of time and adjust our priorities to what truly matters. Thankfully, God gave us some insight into how we might do so.

James 4:13 powerfully describes life, yet also in a reality each of us has experienced. James says that life is a vapor that appears momentarily before quickly passing away. Various images may come to mind, but perhaps the clearest might be that of steam coming from a kettle or from boiling water. As that steam ascends into the air, it quickly disappears. James is telling us that life is the same way. Time passes so quickly.

This reality of the passing of time is intended to impact how we live each day. Within the context of James 4, James explains that this reality is to change how we plan. James is not arguing against the importance of planning; rather, he is arguing against planning without consideration of God and God’s will. Inasmuch as life passes so quickly, we must be careful to plan each day in a manner that will accomplish God’s plan and God’s agenda. After all, God’s plan is the only plan that will endure the test of time.

Another way in which the passing of time should impact our lives is in our priorities. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 that we are to pursue His kingdom and His righteousness above everything else. Tragically, God is often pursued last and is given what little is left.

Psalm 90 also speaks of the brevity of life, describing it as that which is “soon cut off” (Psalm 90:10). The response of the psalmist is a prayer: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:11). Moses, the one to whom the psalm is attributed, recognized the importance of a biblically wise life. Such a life is clearly taught in Proverbs as beginning with a proper fear and reverence toward God.

Life is short. Determine to make 2026 a year that counts for God. Maybe 2025 was a difficult year or a year where priorities became skewed. While it is one thing to acknowledge a need to change, just remember that changing priorities takes effort. Determine to make 2026 your best year for God.

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Dan Qurollo is the pastor of Morganton Baptist Church. You can visit them online at www.morgantonbaptist.net, on Facebook, or on Youtube.

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