Dec 26, 2003 4 min read

Scripture reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Text: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12. New International Version. The concept of time connects our Scripture reading and text of meditation. At the end of the year it is almost impossible not to think of time, especially its relative nature, namely it can fly fast or proceed slow, it can be rewarding or torturing as well as much revealing or mysterious.

Let us see, just before we exit 2003, four issues through four viewpoints. You may disagree with some of these points, however, do historians agree as they evaluate and interpret the past?

THE FOUR ASCENDING LEVELS OF APPROACH.

Please view each topic on INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, COMMUNITY and NATIONAL level. Nobody can isolate himself or herself so much that a national problem would not affect him or her.

There is no perfect detachment, total separation or complete hiding. Even a person who is a loner and not a joiner must feel the influence of the interpersonal relationship. All of us will be a year older and wiser in 2004.

MEMORY. “REMEMBER THE WONDERS he has done, his miracles and the judgments he pronounced,” Psalm 105:5.

How will we remember 2003? Hopefully the majority will remember 2003 in a positive way. There were those who graduated, found employment, got married, became parents, were promoted and had succeeded to climb higher on the social ladder.

However, there are many, who during the last 12 months, lost a loved one, became unemployed, suffered financial loss, had to cope with health problems and the happiness in the family has become shaky.

How will you remember 2003? What memories will you keep in mind or bury in sorrow? Can we forget the heroes who were (and still are) fighting against terrorism?

CONSEQUENCE “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6.

As in 2003 we had to face the consequence(s) of our actions and behavior we carried out or manifested during the previous year(s). Likewise we can anticipate that whatever we have done or said during this year will have consequence in the future. Were you the source of happy events you are proud of now, or do you feel the bitter taste of failure or mistake made and they will follow you into the new year? We cannot completely avoid the consequences of the thoughts of our mind, the works of our hands, and our remarks we verbally expressed.

CONTINUATION. “But as for you, in what you have learned and have become convinced of,” 2 Timothy 3:14/a.

A year is a short period in a person’s life, just a moment in the service of a congregation and just a second in the history of the nation. Monumental achievements needed decades to complete. How long had it taken to build the pyramids?

Have we constructively participated in bigger projects, continued to work on nationwide tasks and cooperated with others to finish interdenominational or international undertakings? Does our ministry fit into the mission of our church? Do we have the determination to complete that requires years? Can we realize that a year is only just a small step to fulfill the request: “your kingdom come.” Matthew 6:10.

Are we willing to sow when we know that not we but next generation will harvest?

LESSON. “I applied my heart to what I observed and LEARNED A LESSON from what I saw.” Proverbs 24:32.

Have we matured in knowledge, faith and understanding? Can we say that we are richer as far experience, wisdom and personal relationships are concerned? Have we learned what we should be more careful about in the future? Do we see more clearly the will of God in our lives? “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3/a.

As we finish 2003 let us keep these four concepts in our minds: memory, consequence, continuation and lesson. May we close this year and start the next one with Apostle Paul’s words: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.