In with the new

 

As we look at the new year, we have images of an old man walking away and a baby greeting the new day. The saying is out with the old in with the new.

 

When we look back over the past year we can see things we wish we could redo or things we could have done differently. We also see things we are proud of, things that worked out just right. Memories are okay, but that is what they are, memories, we can not live in our memories. If we had a time machine we could and probably would go back and make changes, in fact if your life is like mine, you might spend all of your time in that time machine making never ending changes. We must be careful where we put our focus. Why focus your attention where you have no control?

 

If our focus is all in the past, we live as a historian, if our focus is all in the present time, we live with little or no ambition, if our focus is all in the future, we live as dreamers.

 

Philippians 3:13-14

 

Paul says in v13 “...forgetting those things which are behind”

 

The past is where our memories are, although we can learn from those memories, they can also be a prison to us. We can become enslaved to failures and defeats. Paul is saying here that he breaks the bondage of the past, which can hamper spiritual growth, so he can push forward in his Christian faith.

 

In v13 Paul says "...reaching forward to those things which are ahead, “

 

Here Paul is living in his present time, but ignoring the enslavement of the past, he is influenced and seeking what he knows of the future Kingdom life in Christ Jesus..

 

I believe with the New Year we need to follow Paul’s pattern of living. The past year was a year to go down in the history books that’s for sure. Most of us were affected one way or the other with the economy, natural disasters and personal defeats. It is hard not to have a pity party at times, when the whole world seems to be out to get you. Or perhaps for some the year was so good all you can do is sit back and meditate on how great everything was. When Paul wrote this he had experienced about all a person could experience and still he would say ...forgetting those things which are behind” and he would fix his heart to the prize before him. I think Paul tried to put the past in a proper perspective role in his everyday life, it’s only history, not a life. The life Paul was concerned about was yet to come, and it influenced his thoughts and life.v14 “..I press toward the goal..”

 

His goal in life is what every Christian’s goal in life should be ..."prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus“

 

Some think this letter Paul wrote was one of his later letters and he was aware his time in this life was rapidly fading away into martyrdom.

 

Think now as you start this year and walk day by day, what can you do different that might draw you and others you come in contact with, closer to that "prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”