"But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." ((Phil.3:13-14)
If you are reading this, then God has graciously given you another day, a fresh start, a brand new opportunity of a nascent 2013 to begin anew... to walk with the Lord of the universe, to listen to Him, to love Him, to worship Him. And to reflect His Light to a dark world. No matter how badly we may have failed in the past year, if we're still here, there's still time... and He's still able to do abundantly more than all you could ask or even imagine in this coming year. (Eph.3:20)
John Piper has just retired as senior minister of his church, and in his closing words last night, he urged us to covenant with him to "Finish in faith." How I love that, because that is my heart's desire: to someday cross that finish line with my head still looking up to Jesus and my gait strong, running faithfully with Him. Not stumbling along, zig zagging from here to there... distracted, discouraged, defeated.
You know, there are so many folks who begin with such great promise. It's not all that difficult to begin, is it? Just go to a local gym today or for the next two weeks, and you'll see. Suddenly multitudes of people appear, ready to finally start that habit of exercise and dieting every single day. But by about mid to late January the crowds begin to thin--because it's hard! It's not always fun to get up early and go sweat in a hot, crowded gym. We don't always feel like exercising... or reading our Bibles.... or turning off the TV to spend time with loved ones. We're tired. We've got loads of laundry to do and errands to run and work to finish. And all those New Year's resolutions lose their punch when confronted with the reality of a busy, hectic life, an exhausted body, and a discouraged heart.
But it doesn't have to be that way! God's given us a fresh new start to walk with Him in the coming year in this adventure of life. And He never grows weary or discouraged or distracted. He never runs low. He's never out of ideas... or love... or power... or grace... or forgiveness. When He is our Light, no matter what darkness we may face in this new year, He is brighter still, and He will enable us to finish in faith.
I'm not making all those rash resolutions this year. Nope, I'm only making this one: to walk with Him daily so that I might cross that finish line in faith. 'Cause I know if I'm with Him, He will get me all the way there. You too.
So forget about those times you've failed in the past. Or your loved ones have failed. God will never fail. Go to Him, repent for the past, seek His forgiveness and then by grace, start afresh. He's waiting, and He is abundantly able.
Might this be the year we all daily abide in Him, delve into His Word, and discover the joy of walking with the Lord of all glory and grace. So that we might finish in faith.
It's never too late. Not with the God. Not with the Savior who died so that we might live. Begin today. To the God of fresh beginnings and forever faithfulness to enable us to finish strong, be all the glory.
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