“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
It’s a new day. A new year. A new decade. Often when a milestone timeline like this occurs, we reflect on new ways of being, thinking, doing, even speaking. Sometimes we celebrate the newness in life to come like my friend who is getting married today, or my sister who’s turning 50 this week with an international celebration. Personally, I’ve been telling myself 2020 will be the year of my glow up in every area of life!
The new year often brings new beginnings. In order to achieve the newness of life, we must forget the past. The Apostle Paul recognized this as he strived to live out God’s purpose for his life. He needed to forget the fact that he persecuted the church (Acts 8:3), the beatings he received, the prison time, and being shipwrecked amongst other perils (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Paul couldn’t let the weight of his past keep him from the future God had for him.
The same is true for us. As we start this new year and work towards our life goals and the things we know God has for us, we cannot let the past hinder us. I don’t know what the past is for you. Perhaps it’s trouble on the job, a rocky relationship, broken trust, public embarrassment, feeling stuck, abandonment by loved ones, deteriorating health. I’m not saying ignore those things. If you need to confront someone in love to bring about reconciliation (not to simply tell them off!), then make amends in the new year. If you know you wronged someone or caused harm, seek forgiveness and restoration. If you need to switch up your health routine in order to run the race God has called for you, make those changes.
Jesus put it best when He said, “‘Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.’” (Matthew 9:17 NIV) As you move towards the new things in life this year, don’t let the negativity of the past come with you and slow you down. Be free!
Reflection
What things do I need to leave behind this year? How can I be free to do what God has called me to do? What do I need to focus on this year to bring glory to God? How can I move forward without the chains of the past? How can I begin to be free?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for ushering me into this new year. Forgive me for wasting precious time dwelling on the past instead of pressing toward my future. Reveal to me the things you would have me to do and allow me to forget those things that restrict and delay me. Make me free. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash
Comments