“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal…” (Philippians 3:13)
This is my favourite of Paul’s verses. For me, it offers the way to have a positive outlook and to continue in hope, irrespective of any weakness or disappointment.
I love it!
And so today, I share it with you on this: New Year’s Eve.
New Year
Receiving in the new year may mean different things to different people, but to me, it marks a fresh start.
Actually, every day is a fresh start.
Let us be encouraged. Let us conclude the old with love and reconciliation in our hearts with those we may have had differences, and forge ahead to new adventures and ambitions. All for Christ Jesus.
The Past
The past is a good educator but it is not a good reflection of what lies ahead.
The past is finished. We may have responsibilities that connect with past situations and so we must make peace with those people and those things which have gone before. But having done so, then we need to look forward.
The Future
No one knows what lies ahead. The Bible gives us clues of End Times and Jesus’ Return, but we don’t know GOD’s timing. No one knows except the Father (Mark 13). And so, let us live in love and joy, peace, goodness and kindness, gentleness, hope faith and self control (Galatians 5). And let us enjoy life: our friendships and family, our work and our leisure, or church and our LORD.
The Present
Let us set our faces like flint, as Jesus did before his arrest. Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith. Let us take stalk of the cost of that faith. And let us be thankful for all we have experienced, all we are experiencing, and all we will experience.
Let us begin today, to accept what the LORD has for us and be ready to give an account.
A Prayer
Father GOD, I pray for all who read these few lines, and I pray for myself too, that we will each walk close to you, closer than we have in the past. And be Your servants, Your hands and feet, Your friends, Your children.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Shalom, shalom. Happy New Year.
One reply on “Receiving the New Year”
Dear Sarah,
Thank you for your encouraging words throughout this past year. They have been very helpful and supportive and may God bless you richly and your family this coming year.