We are about to start another year. Years are interesting markers in our lives. Like a ruler or a physical gauge, they measure. The solemn tramp of days, mornings, and sunsets. What are they measuring? They sometimes mark, with indelible ink, the story of our lives. Time is what we are given as human beings. Every one of us gets a certain amount of time to work with, ignore, or use wisely.

When I was growing up, I recall that one thing I wanted was to grow faster, to be older, thinking that there were so many more benefits, to say nothing of the privileges that came with being older. I was not 8 years old, I was 8 and a half. When I was 16, I wanted to be 21. However, as we grow older, there seems to be a shift in the aging game. At 45, I wanted to be 33. I have yet to have anyone say to me, I am 75 and a half. Or 83 and a half.

The new year coming makes one thing certain: time only moves forward, memory allows us a past, but in reality, we only dwell in the “Now”. The past is gone, the future is coming, but we deal with reality, and it is only the present. As we journey in time, as does every human soul on the planet, how do we look at our lives? How to mark off what was successful, how did we get through the disasters?

I don’t think we realize that God is ever-present to us. In St. Luke’s gospel, God’s concern is noted, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7) Or further in Luke, “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you eat or drink; do not worry about it.

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”( Luke 12 27-31). Ponder these passages. God is telling us what matters, then look at your own life and see where you are going. What score have you given yourself in the past year? What adjustments will you make as you enter this new year?

We are human; God is very aware of that. Jesus knew us well; our fragile and often selfish desires rule our actions. But we can, with prayer and determined patience, walk a new path. By asking forgiveness and putting on the New Christ, we can amend our lives and share in the peace and grace that makes time a gift, not a fear of an arbitrary end. Death is the end of time; in our culture, we try very hard to avoid the topic of death. Death for a Christian is a transition, not an end. For a Christian, we know that physical death occurs, but we are also aware that selfishness is a death of the spirit within us. When we turn away from love, which is God, and see only ourselves and our wants, the limits of time become apparent. Selfishness limits our lives and makes us so much less than what we can be. We miss what compassion, care, and empathy for others can do for our lives. How it brings balance and happiness, if not satisfaction.

As we enter the New Year, examine your life, see where you are going. What have you built, what have you accomplished, who have you helped? Life is full of challenges Jesus gives us teaching on this. We all have problems, situations, or desires that lead to more difficulties. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew. Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24) Every one of us has these crosses; the acceptance of the crosses is the secret to managing the problems. With grace and love, you can do this. We are part of time, true, but we are on a path that leads to heaven.

In this new year, see your life as a journey and how you can make that journey into joy and peace. God is with us every step of the way.