End of year, end of life.

I was presented something the other day, and I have yet to shake it.

It was one of those challenges that feels like your insides are being ripped out of you. Try as you might to stop it, you're defenseless.

Because it has yet to leave my mind, and because I feel the Spirit's leading, I am going to share it with you people.

I pray it does the same for you.

Ears to hear. Eyes to see.

The "challenge" as it may was this:

As we draw near the end of this year, 2011, what if this year, all by itself, was the life you had lived to and for Christ? What if 2011 was your sacrifice you had to give God? Romans 12:1-2.

Think about it.

Go back to January 1st.

Retrace your steps.

Remember the good.

Remember the bad.

Look at your secret life.

Look at what you did in front of people.

Did you give cheerfully?

Did you read faithfully?

Did you worship passionately?

Did you pray fervently?

I know that for myself, I am not pleased, especially with the earlier part of the year.

And if I am not satisfied with what I've done, I know God isn't.

NOW LISTEN.

I am not discrediting the work of Christ. I know that He has completed the work and that our faith is made perfect by faith in Him.

This post is not about that at all.

The Bible, specifically the NT makes it very clear that our faith must produce works. As James 2:14 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?"

Humbling words to say the least.

I don't post this in hopes that you'll look at this year and throw a pity party and think you're a huge failure and then be too down in the dumps to do anything.

I post this in hopes that you will see the brevity of time and you will make the most of your time by making the most of Christ.

Life is short.

Make it count.

I love you.