As I sit at my desk typing this article, I’m a little amused that I find myself a little over a week into the year 2013. In my pre-teen years, I remember one of my late uncles telling his son, “When you graduate from high school, I’m going to buy you a brand new car for graduation, even if it’s 1970.” Not only was I amazed that my uncle would buy such an expensive gift for my cousin’s graduation, but I was also fascinated by how far into the future 1970 seemed to me. I guess I had the idea that the world would probably have flying cars by then. However, now I understand my immature outlook on time of so many years ago, for children have little concept of the importance of time and its fleeting nature. Yet from the perspective of a senior adult, I still find myself thinking, “It’s 2013. How have I gotten this far down the road of life so quickly?”

The fact is that time stops for no one. Time marches ceaselessly onward without pause or pity for the pleadings of those who wish they had more of it. The question is not, “How much more time do we have left?,” but, “How can we wisely use the time we have left?” The apostle James says, “…For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14b). We must be careful not to presume too much about life and time. The writer of Proverbs gives us helpful counsel when he says, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1).

So how should we approach life and time, as we enter 2013? I believe Francis Havergal (1836-1879), a songwriter of two centuries ago, had the right perspective on facing a new year. She believed the most important concern we should have when facing a new year should be our personal relationship with God. That doesn’t mean that other things aren’t important, but simply that one’s relationship with God should be of first priority. Take a tip from Havergal’s prayerful poem, and as follows:

Another year is dawning,
Dear Father let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with thee.

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness,
The glory of thy face.

Another year of leaning
Upon thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service,
Of witness for thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,
Dear Father, let it be,
On earth, or else in heaven,
Another year for thee.

-Francis Ridley Havergal

May God become nearer and dearer this year than ever before, and may the Lord of heaven and earth bless us with His presence, provision, and power.