Pressing Forward

I have been spending the last few days, the first of the new year, reflecting on the past year, my life in general and trying to get an idea of what 2025 will entail. The new year is often a time of such reflection, a bit of introspection for many and this morning my heart was reminded of some of my favorite verses from Paul.

Philippians 3:7-14 NIV:

[7] "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. [10] I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." 

[12] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] 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, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

There is nothing I can change about the last year.  However, this whole coming year and my whole future lies open before me, and I can choose to live differently than I did last year!  I can forget was is in the past and press forward into deeper relationship with the Lord, making the most of every opportunity, and engaging in all that the Lord directs, that I might fulfill all His purpose for me.

I am reminded of one last verse, written to Timothy - 2 Tim 4:5: "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

I might not be an evangelist, or have a "ministry" but I am here for a purpose, and I haven't been as engaged as I should have been.  So, forgetting what is behind me, I press forward into that which I am called to do!  

Help me Lord!  Strengthen me Lord!  Help me to keep my head in all situations!

Amen!