Dear Brethren,

A Godly Ambition for 2013?

With the start of a new year in 2013, we will make our plans and set our goals to move forward. There will be new opportunities and new venture for us. Many will make new resolutions for the year. Often our plans are focused on our self and the material things around us. We hope for a more comfortable life and to make progress in studies or career. It is not wrong for such plans as long as our hearts are not focused on them.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

In our plans for this year 2013, did it ever cross your mind that you may not have the entire 365 days to achieve them? Often we can be presumptuous to think that time will roll on for us and there is time ahead to do every task to realize our plans. We need a humble heart to know our lives are not in our hands at all. Remember James 4:13-14,

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Let me ask you if you have a godly ambition for 2013. Some will say they want to serve in new areas or do new projects for the Lord. Others may say they want to go for mission trips or teach the Word of God. The Church is urged to think big and do big things for the glory of Christ. What about little and small things to do in 2013? We hardly hear of that as a godly ambition. Is God only interested in “great things” that we want to do and not the “small things”? The answer is a definite no.  I believe we should set godly ambition to do more for the Lord, whether great or small, as the Lord uses us. But do not follow the world to regard “big things” as important and neglect the “small things” which in the eyes of God is equally big and important.

Let me share to you one godly ambition of a “small thing” that we can set ourselves to do in 2013.

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business,and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11

In this year 2013, God may not have “great” plans for you but to do the “little things” properly for Him. Be more Christ-like in every area of your life. Be kind and helpful to others. Give a tract and share a word for Christ to the unbelievers. Do your homework and study hard in school. Do not murmur and complain in your workplace. This is nothing spectacular, maybe nothing “great” in the eyes of the world. But this is exactly what God wants for us to set as a godly ambition for 2013 which constitute quiet Christian living and faithfulness to Him.

Elder John Leong