It was a sobering day. Just out of habit, I took the desk calendar and flip the page from January to February. Suddenly it hit me that another month had just passed. It didn’t seem too long ago that we were celebrating the advent of a new year. Very quickly we were into the second month of the new year. Well, time really flies.

For a moment, I felt a little melancholic, then I snapped out of it and beginning to think. Yesterdays are getting more, and tomorrows are getting less. It is time to put in more effort into things that really matter and stop wasting time on things that don’t.

The question for many of us is what are the things that really matter to us? I know many of you will give the textbook answer to the pastor, our spiritual lives and duties. Well, I cannot fault you with that answer as it is definitely not wrong. But what about others?

Family relations are important. Did we neglect them because we are chasing the temporal things of this world? Yes, finances and status are important. I cannot deny those. Think! What if you become very rich but have no one by your side because you pushed them away in your pursue of riches and fame. Or, if all that they are interested are the riches you left behind. They never had a relationship with you that really matter to them. As a pastor, I had seen enough of family members arguing over inheritance even before the funeral proceeding was over. Relationship needs nurturing, and that takes time. Believe me, it will be time well spent.

Take the time to create good and beautiful memories. Things from a little screen, you know what I mean, are really a waste of time. An achievement of helping someone, a worthwhile cause, a hearty conversation with a good friend, or even reading a good book. Of course, there are many more to list, but you get the drift.

Most importantly, spend time with the Lord. He is really the one that matters above all else. Neglect it to your own peril. Time, on this side of eternity, is short and precious. Use it wisely.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

那是清醒的一天。我习惯性的拿起桌面日历，将一月份翻到二月份。突然我才醒觉又有一个月份刚刚过去了。我们似乎在不久之前才庆祝新一年的来临，很快的，我们就已经进入新一年的第二个月份。是的，时间飞逝。

在那一瞬间，我感觉有点忧郁，随即却回过神来并开始思想。昨天是越来越多而明天是越来越少了。是时候把精力放在确实重要的事物上，不要浪费时间在不重要的事物上。

我们大多数人会问一个问题，什么才是对我们真正重要的事物。我知道我们很多人会给牧师教科书上的答案，我们属灵的生命和职分。是的，我不能从那个答案挑出你的毛病，因为它确实没有错误。但是其他的又如何？

家庭关系是重要的。我们是否为了追求这世界短暂的事物而忽略了他们？是的，财物和地位很重要，我无可否认。想想！如果你变得非常富裕却无人在身边，因为你自己在追求财富和名声的时候，已经把他们撇在一旁。或者，他们所在乎的是你遗留下来的财富。他们从来不把与你之间的关系看得很重要。身为一位牧师，我屡屡见到家庭成员为继承权争执不休，或许还是发生在葬礼结束之前，关系是需要培养的，而这需要时间。相信我，这是被善用的时间。.

用时间创造美好及美丽的记忆。从小屏幕出来的事物确实是浪费时间的，你知道我所言为何。因帮助别人而有所成就，一个有价值的事业，与好友的暖心交谈，或甚至阅读一本好书。当然，还可以列出很多，但你们必须明白。

最重要的是，用时间与主相处。祂是真正超乎一切且最重要的那位。 忽视祂将后果自负。在永恒的这一边，时间是短暂且宝贵的。以智慧用之。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong