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When I was younger, I remember reading the following phrase in several books and hearing it in several lectures, "A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went!"

The idea being that a lax or unaccountable approach to finances will leave one unsure of where they stand or confused about why they do not ever seem to have "enough".

As we come to another conclusion of a year that God has graciously granted us, could we perhaps flip this thought on its head a bit and apply it to an even more valuable currency- time?

Unlike money, everyone has the same amount of "time currency" that is denominated in 24 hour segments a day, seven days a week, and 365 days per year.

Knowing this, the apostle Paul and Jesus' brother, James, both gave us sobering imperatives about how Christ's followers WILL use time vs. how unbelievers do. We are to leverage each day and make our long-term plans with the thought of loving & serving Christ, discipling others, and "go ye/be my witnesses/ye are ambassadors" to unbelievers around us.

Tough question- is that what an analysis of my 2025 or your 2025 would reveal?

I am not trying to guilt trip us for not using EVERY second of EVERY day for those purposes alone as part of our existence includes the daily, routine matters of being human as well as times for the glory of God where we rest, enjoy holy pleasures, and celebrate life. Such moments might even fall under one of the three categories listed above.

What I am asking about is, can we consistently trace those ideas through how we used 2025?

Let me attempt to give us some questions to consider if we have done so and how to approach 2026 as well; the goal isn't to discourage or bully us, but to help us consider the health and holiness of our mindset.

  • Look back on your calendar and consider how many days you exposed your mind to God's Word through personal reading? I had time to do training for work, read about a hobby, enjoy a book for fun, and scroll feeds online. The weekly update from my phone about how much time I have spent on it hopefully pushes me to consider what portion of my day I allot to truth and the meditation upon it I need.
  • How many days stick out to you in which you did not have meaningful prayer time? We had time for FB reels, chats on our phone, text messages, a movie or two, and shopping, so evidently "having time" isn't the issue.
  • How many times did you not attend the assembly of your church (if it was in your physical ability to do so)? If you started tallying it up for- sports, hobbies, money, laziness, etc.- and then asked what percentage of the times you could have been at the assembly but decided not to, it can get scary and revealing in a hurry.
  • How many intentional times did you spend with your spouse on a date or trip? They are the most important relationship you have besides Christ.
  • Was your intimate time with your spouse consistent or sparse? Was it more "Netflix" than "Netflix & Chill"?
  • How many talks about God did you have with your young adult or kids? We talked about their grades, their coach's decision making, interactions with our students, their future, and how we still might possibly know more than them as adults...but would our kids or young adults tell someone elsethat the majority of their conversations with their parent(s) centered upon knowing, loving, and serving God?
  • Who did you disciple this year? I am not asking who you sat next to in church or if you go to some group. I am asking who you were used to build up in their faith, aka Aquila Priscilla style. Who did you read a Bible plan with? Who did you text for accountability? Who did you have a taco with to chat about life issues and how they relate to Christ? Who will this person be in 2026????
  • How many people did you practice hospitality towards with your house this year? One of the most powerful resources we have to talk to folks about Christ or disciple folks about Christ is the opening up of our home. You are not too poor to do it. You are not too busy to do it (if so, it is an idolatry issue). You are not too awful a cook to do it...canned soup and grilled cheese go a long way. If the answer is "no one", then let's change that in January.

If we are not careful, we could wrongly look at the above as either unnecessary or non-vital or not for us...one of those, "Ok pastor..." responses. I would caution us to recognize that we are all prone to be "programmed" by our culture about what is valuable and how to use our time.

Empty pursuits viewed as "normal" or "essential"- youth sports, academic events, work opportunities, overtime, projects, side hustles, etc.- often are what Christians in America are "busy" about but at the expense of the biblical, spiritual priorities outlined above.

Let's approach 2026 saying "no" to the lie of "we can or should have it all". Let's say "yes" to seeing God use us individually, as a family, and as a church to see others hear the Gospel and be discipled.

Serving together,

Pastor Paul