New Year Message from the Chairman
Walk in a manner worthy of God in 2012
Happy New Year! Wishing you a restful time with your loved ones during the holidays break.
New Year's Day is a good time to reflect on the past year and to plan for the coming one. It is an exercise that God has taught me to do in the past years and this year is no exception. The verse that He gave me as I plan for 2012 is:
Colossians 1:10 (ESV)--so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
God used this verse in Paul's letter to the church at Colosse, a city in Asia Minor, to tell me that I am to make every effort to walk in a manner worthy of Him in 2012.
Watchman Nee wrote an inspiring book called "Sit, Walk, Stand" many years ago. The book captured and elaborated on many rich insights written by Paul in his letter to the church in Ephesus, on how a Christian can grow in maturity and unity. Nee used the three action words--sit, walk, stand--to encourage Christians to be strong. We are to sit in the grace and security of Christ, so that we may know how to walk in a manner worthy of Him, and develop the backbone to stand up and stand firm against injustices, evil, and corruption.
What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of God? It does not mean that we are to do good to earn God's saving grace. Rather, it means we are to do good out of our gratitude towards God. In Colossians 1:10, Paul elaborated on how we may walk in a manner worthy of God by pursuing three things:
1. Pleasing God. In 2 Corinthians 5: 9-10 (ESV), Paul encouraged us with these words: So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Therefore, we must reflect by asking ourselves: Does my work or the way I deal with my clients, colleagues, employees please God? Would I do the same thing in front of others as when no one is watching? Are my attitudes and actions pleasing God? Are my words consistent with my works? What would I do differently in 2012 in order to please God in every way?
2. Bearing fruit: Jesus said in John 15:4 (MSG): Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.
Reflection: Am I making a positive difference at work? Am I making a positive contribution to the society and God's Kingdom? Am I an encouragement or a discouragement to others? Am I influencing those around me in a positive way? Am I sharing the good news of Christ often enough with my colleagues, employees, and friends? Am I giving and sharing the good fruits of my labor with others?
3. Increasing knowledge: Proverbs 15:14 (MSG) says: An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies.
Reflection: Am I learning or planning to learn a new knowledge? Am I spending enough time to seek God in the Bible? Am I experiencing more of God's active involvement in my work?
I plan to read through the Bible in its entirety in 2012, and invite you to do the same. I am hoping to know God in a deeper way this year. I plan to share one insight from my reading with you every month, and you can keep me accountable!
Doing all three above requires commitment, discipline, effort, and persistence. But if we are to do the three--pleasing God fully, bearing fruit joyfully, and increasing knowledge consistently--we will not only walk in a manner worthy of God; we will see our cup overflowing with many blessings.
2011 was a year of transition for me. After 30+ years of working in public accounting and with Ernst & Young, I am retired. While it is nice not to have to be at work at 9 am every morning, I must say that I loved working at EY. The calibre and professionalism of the people I had the privilege of working with is hard to replace.
God has given a few challenges and blessings in 2011. Challenges: the uncertainty and volatility of the global markets were hard on investments; striking a good work-life balance (I am on a few boards and committees and mentoring a number of younger men); not much time for golf (something that I hoped to improve on). Blessings: Meeting many new friends; seeing our son marrying a lovely girl; more time to serve God's Kingdom and the community; seeing God touch more accountants through ACA; seeing a few conversions. I am also learning to not let my identity defined by my business card.
I look forward to a more successful and fruitful 2012 and wish you the same!
Counting His blessings,
David