Year-End Reflection: Rehearsing for Eternity - Living with Wisdom and Faithfulness

As the year comes to a close, it feels like the end of a lifetime. The final hours of December 31st are reminiscent of the last days in a hospital, when the doctor has informed you that your time is running out. In these moments, we are confronted with a pressing question: Did I live this year well? Will Jesus Christ, the righteous Judge, say "Well done, good and faithful servant" when he evaluates my life?

I consider myself fortunate to experience this year-end reflection. It is a unique opportunity to have a trial run at my own dying. This rehearsal allows me to identify my weaknesses and areas where I need to improve before the final act of my life. The beauty of this rehearsal is that it gives me a chance to make changes and start fresh in the upcoming year.

Some may find the thought of dying morbid and try to avoid thinking about it, especially during the holiday season. However, I believe that pondering our own mortality can be a transformative experience. There are few things more impactful than contemplating the brevity of life and the inevitability of death.

The psalmist in Psalm 90 provides wisdom on how to live well. He writes, "You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers... So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:5–6, 12) This passage reminds us that life is short and fleeting, like grass that flourishes in the morning and withers by evening. To gain wisdom, we must recognize the limited time we have and make the most of it.

Numbering our days means acknowledging the brevity of life and the certainty of death. This perspective can guide us in living with intention and purpose. It helps us prioritize what truly matters and avoid getting caught up in trivial pursuits. When we understand the fleeting nature of life, we are motivated to make every moment count.

As we approach the end of the year, let us evaluate our lives using the criterion of faithfulness. Like the apostle Paul, our goal should be to keep the faith. Paul said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7–8) This should be our measure of success as well.

If we find that we have fallen short in keeping the faith throughout the year, we can take comfort in the fact that this year-end reflection is a rehearsal. It is an opportunity for growth and improvement. The upcoming year holds the potential for a renewed commitment to living faithfully.

In conclusion, the end of the year is a valuable time for reflection and introspection. It serves as a rehearsal for our own mortality, allowing us to identify areas where we need to grow and improve. By numbering our days and recognizing the fleeting nature of life, we can gain wisdom and live with intention. Let us strive to keep the faith and make the most of the time we have been given. May the upcoming year be marked by a renewed commitment to living faithfully.