CHRISTIAN comment with Brendan Conboy of The Door Youth Project

Priorities for the year?

I always consider January to be quite a reflective time of year.

We look back at the previous year, with thoughts perhaps of: “I don’t want to do that again.”

When I hear that comment it tells me two things; the person had a bad experience but learnt a lesson from it.

A highlight of last year for me was the honour of escorting HRH The Earl of Wessex, during his visit to The Door Youth Project.

Another personal ambition fulfilled. So what about the coming year? What are your priorities?

It is so easy to fall back into the old routines, as we forget to make space for what should truly be our priority.

I am looking forward to my daughter’s wedding in the summer.

She will be joined in marriage to the man that she loves and I will have yet another honour, to give away the bride.

In the Bible Jesus is referred to as the bridegroom and he will return to the bride, his Church.

Of course the Church isn’t a building, it is the people, the body of Christ, his followers.

We are the Bride of Christ and as such we have a deeply loving two-way relationship with him.

If you are looking back at last year and realise that this is what you have missing in your life, perhaps you should get to know Jesus too?

Is he your priority?

The Bible also says: “Seek first the Kingdom of God, above all else, live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

I know that this is right but I am not saying that I get it right all of the time.

I am just like you, a vulnerable human being that makes mistakes.

I often get my priorities wrong but when I realise the wrong, that deep loving two-way relationship kicks in... I say “sorry” and God says: “It’s OK, I forgive you”.