“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
In this scripture, the apostle Paul is encouraging the Philippians and us to forget what is behind. Another words, don’t look back. I like the way the NLT version states the scripture “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
So I encourage you over the next couple of days, take time to look back one more time. Evaluate what took place in the year 2023, and decide which circumstances need to be resolved. For example, unresolved grief, applying forgiveness where needed, unfinished business or life mistakes that need to be corrected. However, after you’ve reflected on these things, and have done what’s needed to resolve them, move on.
Finding Excitement In Forgetting What Is Behind
The new year is always exciting to me. I’m not one to make New Years’s resolutions, but I’m all about fresh starts and new beginnings. Some people like routines and predictability but I am the type of person who likes change and new adventures. Especially, when God is in the forefront of it all. He specializes in bringing about new things. And I look forward to it each year with great expectation, to see what He has for me and my family. Yes, sometimes there are hardships involved. But I know they’re meant to strengthen us, and help us to grow. In the end, God always turns those hardships for our good. In turn, making us to be more like Jesus.
3 Ways To End The Year
So here are three things to take away from today’s blog:
- evaluate the past year
- resolve the resolvable
- press on to the future without looking back
I assure you by taking the steps to forgetting what is behind, it will be the beginning of your renewal. I pray a safe, prosperous and Happy New Year for you and your family!
Related Blogs: “A New Year’s Resolution That’s Good For The Soul”
