Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s bitter cold and snow is on the way again and I can’t wait to see God blanket the farm with His glory. The Living Waters Farm is Holy Ground…not because of me or anything I do here…but because it was given over to the Living God a long time ago to do with what He wants to do. It belongs to Him and not to me and it’s because I don’t claim it as my own that He has poured out more blessings than most people can even imagine. Each day is a new day filled with new beginnings and I’ve handed my Time over to the Living God all over again this morning. Nothing belongs to me! I have plenty of goals and good intentions, but if I take on any day with just ME in mind, it’s bound to not work out so well. No doubt the Master of my Life wants me to dream – and He tells us to never quit- but the things I’d chase in my own will aren’t necessarily what He wants for me – so, He wakes me up to a New Day filled with New Beginnings and I give it all back to Him. That’s the ONLY way I can be a usable, flexible, unstoppable Vessel for the Love of my Life! Isn’t that how you look at your New Days filled with New Beginnings too?

Everybody is given the same 24 hours a day despite how many people claim to “not have time” outside of their daily routine. They seem to have an allotted time to eat, sleep, work (and play), but there is no “allotted time” for the Living God, and “sacrifice” isn’t even in their vocabulary. When God attempts to shake things up for them by putting a need in their path that would require them to step outside of themselves to serve someone else…they refuse. “I’m too tired” – “I’m too busy” – “I don’t know how” – “I’m too old” – and “Let someone else” but the Most High God already Knows these things and when He comes Calling and He expects us to Serve Him (sacrificially) anyway. I don’t see any room for excuses when Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me”. Not only did Jesus not care who was tired, or busy, or missing their favorite TV show, He said, “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” to those too busy serving themselves to serve the needs of others. I’m no expert but I don’t think the Master of all Creation has tolerance for the selfish excuses we make for squandering life away while refusing to Serve the One who died for us. When (if) we have a Heart for the King, we’re not just “willing” to serve…we’re Honored to serve and THAT’S what giving it back to the King looks like.

It is so troubling to consider how much of our time is squandered despite knowing that the Bible says, “What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away”. When you think about it, we really don’t have much time here on earth to Complete the Plan God has for each one of us…yet most people willingly and knowingly squander it away. How much of what we have – from time and attention to material things – can (and should) be given to someone else and yet we hoard it for our own pleasures? How much time spent parked in front of a television could be selflessly given to someone else in need? How much time scrolling through social media searching for the latest lies could be shared with someone needing a hug or a shoulder to cry on? How much of the leftover meal was tossed into the trash instead of being shared with someone in need? How much of what you have in the bank will be directed toward “investing” in your future or satisfying your own desires? The list is long and the excuses are lame, that’s for sure. But One Day “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” and we’ll all go face-to-face with the Living God. When an account of Life is given, do you really believe that the Alpha and Omega will listen to all the lame excuses for why we chose to serve ourselves and our own pleasures instead of Serving the King? Giving it all back to Him is the Key to a Fulfilled life with more Joy than any amount of money could ever buy.

I don’t have any more time than anybody else – in fact, I have less than most people and not because “I’m busy” but because I give it all away to the King. When you’re Willing to turn the New Day filled with New Beginnings over to Him and His Will (and not your own), you’ll be blown away by all the Work that He’s had for you to do in His Name all along. Serving the King of all kings is the greatest Honor of all and the more you Give away, the more Fulfilled you are. When it comes to Kingdom work, no squandering is allowed. I have Time and a Heart conditioned for the King and I’m excited about ALL that He has for me on this New day of New Beginnings.

How about you?