Susan Seymore lives in Damascus, VA with her husband, John. She is mother to four and grandmother to seven. As prayer coordinator, she strives to lead women at First Baptist Church Damascus into a deeper spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. With a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in career and technical education, she served as program manager for the Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education Program for seven counties in Southwest Virginia before retiring in 2011. Because of God’s amazing provision, compassion, and presence during the recent tragic death of her son, Susan’s focus is now directed toward encouraging women of every age to draw closer to the abiding love of Christ—the only glue we can count on to hold us together when the world comes crashing down.
Jim Croce sang, “If I could save time in a bottle, the first thing that I’d like to do Is to save every day ’til eternity passes away just to spend them with you…” The words are a poignant reminder of the brevity of life.
We constantly hear these comments:
“Every day is Friday!”
“How did I get to be so old so fast?!!!”
Job also lamented: “For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow.” (Job 8:9)
There is something about the passing of a year that reminds us that as children of God, our time to produce fruit for His kingdom and to glorify Him (our purpose in life), is very brief. As we enter 2022, we must stop and ask the question: “How am I spending my allotted time?” and “Where are my feet planted… in the world or in God’s kingdom?” The tug of the world has a tight grip on our families and friends while the battle for their earthly allegiance is becoming more intense every day! Who will gather some rocks from the stream? Who will pick up the armor of God and enter the battle for the souls of those we know and love? Who will pick up the two-edged sword? Who will stand in the gap?
We can all agree that there has never been a greater need for people to know the love, peace, and provision of a loving Father. Remember the Marine recruiting slogan, “The Marines are looking for a few good men.” And we all know what Jesus did through “a few good men!” They changed the world! No academic letters behind their names, no CEOs… just common, ordinary men accessing the extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit given to them by Jesus Himself to further His kingdom.
As we think about the extraordinary impact made by these simple men, what can we learn from them? (1) They believed in Him. (2) They followed Him closely. (3) They learned from Him. (4) They relied on Him. (5) They spent the rest of their lives sharing Him using the resources He supplied. (6) They used what little time they had wisely. Again, as a child of God, should we do no less? Are we believing, are we following, are we learning, are we relying, are we sharing, and are we using our time wisely?
The new year has just begun. What will you do with the little time that is allotted to you? Will your efforts be self-directed or Kingdom-focused? Will you stand in the gap? Who knows what seas God will part for you? Be brave! Dip those toes in the water!!!!
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – (Ephesians 2:10)
