I love the beginning of a new year. “Beginning” and “new” are two words that go together well. It’s the annual “reset” button of life. It says, There’s not much you can do about the past, but look ahead. There is a future filled with possibilities. It’s what the apostle Paul was talking about when he said, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Wow! Is that awesome, or what! There are some things I am glad to leave behind. There have been painful, empty, fruitless days that are best forgotten. Those failures and places of brokenness can rob us of so much joy if they become our focus. They can create paralysis of the soul. We are immobilized. Can’t move forward while looking back.
But, there is a prize. God is calling us to more. More of Him. More of His Spirit. Closer than we’ve ever been before. I want 2012 to be that kind of year for us. When we get to December 31 this year, I want us to do it with this prize in our hands. I want us to be more in love with God, more filled with His Spirit, more connected with family and friends. I believe when this is our focus, our past can no longer hold us captive. We are leaning forward into a glorious future.
I guess now would be a good time to start.
Praise God for new beginnings! 2011 was not my best year but I am looking ahead to a new day and the opportunity to let God do new and wonderful things in me and in my everyday walk with Him. Praying and believing for God’s very best for me and my family this year and asking Him to teach me more about His ways over my ways.
Happy New Year to you and Felicia! I really love watching your family on FB as they grow up.