Start Your Year, Start Your Day



January 20, 2010
Philippians 3:12-14

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)



Two hours into a ten hour drive, a little voice piped up from the backseat, "Are we there yet?" He had books, movies, video games, and snacks for distraction, but those things were not on his mind. What he wanted was to see Grandma and Grandpa. AT THEIR HOUSE. He was focused on the destination.

Paul shares with us his focus--his drive--in these verses. He has a goal of knowing Christ better, becoming more like Christ in his actions and attitudes, being all that God purposed for him to be, and ultimately gaining his eternal reward in Heaven. It was no small goal. Paul knew he had not arrived yet at his destination; he was still on the trip.

Paul also knew how to travel. It can be described in one word: light. His trip was a focused one. Extra weight was not welcome. Distractions that detoured him from his goal were not welcome. He had single vision. Nothing was going to hold him back.

So how is your trip going? Are you making good time, focusing on your destination? Or are you distracted by the past, things that need to be forgotten? Paul had plenty of material to moan about, but he chose to be proactive instead. What is holding you down, keeping you in the back of the line instead of propelling forward and clicking off the miles? Don't play the guilt game. If you've had a wreck in the past, seek forgiveness, make it right, and then continue on the trip. Spinning your wheels gets you nowhere. Focusing on past failure doesn't let you focus on the goal. Press on. Keep traveling, keep covering ground!
 

A Thankful Thought


There have been so many moments in the past couple of years that it's just hit me how much God really does have a plan for my life... and I am so thankful for that. When I think back on many experiences that I considered to be negative at the time, I can see how much God was providing for me and how His hand was really guiding me in the right direction. I can't express how thankful I am that God cares about me enough to have plans to prosper me, and not to harm me.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11

A NewSpring Staff Member


 



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