As I pondered on the rush we are now in planning and preparing for 2024, which has less than 3 months away, I cannot help but feeling helpless at the passage of time. It wasn’t long that we were doing that for 2023, now we are at it again for 2024. During the year, all the planned programs were executed in various fashions. Whether executed smoothly or with much difficulties, they all passed. The euphoria of the events was soon forgotten and the next one awaits. Jokingly, I told my staff that very soon they may be preparing for my retirement. Well, time flies and never to return.

The fast pace of time is inevitable. There is really no point in lamenting over it. What we should be concerned about is how had we spent those precious time? Were they spent on frivolous things that just ‘rob’ our lives away? Or are they spent on things of more value?

I know that some of you (if not all) are thinking that I am talking about wasting time on the phone. No, I am not. Watching videos while on the go can be of benefits depending on the content. One can learn quite a bit of information even from some seemingly silly shows. Some catching up with loved ones or friends are good for keeping informed of their well-being. So, I am not talking about these.

Time is a limited commodity in our lives. The measurement of our lives is time. So, we need to treasure it. We need to be guarding it so jealously that we may seem stingy about it. Because every minute is a minute of your life GONE. How you use it is, therefore, vitally important.

May I suggest some ways. Firstly, devote considerable amount of time learning about Jesus and imitating Him. There is nothing more crucial than that. All other successes stem from this one foundation. Secondly, spend great amount of time with family members. Quantity thumps quality here. Do not be fooled into the quality time spent nonsense. Then give some time to your friends (as opposed to acquaintances). They are hard to come by and should be treasured. Whatever time that is left, use it for yourself. Do something you like. Do not neglect yourself.

May the Lord help you to treasure every minute of that precious life.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

时间飞逝, 我们又要为2024年来计划和做准备了. 我们在为2023年做此事的时候似乎不是太久远. 我无助的觉得在流逝的时间里无能为力。现在2024年也只有三个月的时间。这一年里，所有计划好的事工都以不同的方式推动开来。无论顺利的推动还是遇到困难，一切都已经过去。事工带来的欣快感很快地被忘记，下一个在等待着要来。我开玩笑地对我团队说他们可能要很快为我的退休庆祝。遗憾的是时间飞逝永不再返回。

时间快速前进是无可避免的。我们无需为它感到悲伤。我们应当关注的是我们如何使用了这些逝去的宝贵时间？它们是被花在轻浮无用生命的事情上吗？还是用在了有价值的事情上呢？

我知道你们有一些人（也可能是所有人）不假思索地想我在谈论浪费时间在手机上。不，我不是。在旅途中取决于观赏视频影像的内容也可以带来益处。你甚至也可以在那些看似无厘头的影片增长知识。跟自己所爱的或朋友交流也何尝不是一件好事。我不是在谈论这些事情。

时间是我们生命中有限的物品。时间是用来衡量我们的生命的指标。如此说来，我们要珍惜它。我们需要用心的守护它如同我们对它的吝啬。因为每一分钟就等于是你的生命中逝去了一分钟。如此，你如何用它是何等的重要。

我可以建议一些方法。首要的，用很多的时间来学习有关耶稣并效法祂。这没有任何的东西是比这一个更至关重要。其他一切的成功都是取决于这一个基础。第二，让家人占据你大量的时间。这里量取胜于质。不要愚昧接受质量就够的讲法。然后给你的朋友一些时间（知交而不是浅交）。他们来之不易，值得珍惜。不管还有剩余多少的时间，用在自己的身上。做一些你喜欢做的。不要忽略你自己。

愿上帝帮助你珍惜美好生命里的每一分钟。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

（林忠彬传道翻译）