“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do, 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.” Philippians 3:13-14


A new year is here.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus’ disciples thought about when the calendar flipped over to a new year? Do you think Christ’s followers made New Year’s resolutions?

Maybe they did. Impetuous Peter probably asked the Lord to help him not put his foot in his mouth so much. Or James and John, fiery sons of Zebedee, might have resolved to have better control of their tempers. Thomas…doubt a little less. And John the beloved, help me Jesus to love people like You do.

Of course I am speculating. But I do have a pretty good idea what Paul might have resolved to do every day of the New Year. His desire and two step plan for carrying it out is found in our scripture for this week.

Honestly transparent and humbly truthful, Paul confesses I am not perfect (fully complete, mature or whole) in Christ yet. But I am being perfected in His righteousness (see verses 7-12). While being perfected, I am pressing on.

Pressing on to what? The high, upward call of Christ on his life. Paul’s personal spiritual goal, the prize he valued and pursued above all else, was to glorify God through his Christian life. Honoring God by pursuing Christ’s calling, Paul would have to have a singular focus. Note he said “this one thing I do”. One thing I do…just ONE THING. In our day of endless distraction, can you and I say this one thing I do? Pretty difficult huh!

But if we are to fulfill God’s call on our life, we need to seriously consider focusing our faith on one thing. Paul chose to ignore distraction and focus on his calling in Christ. To meet his goal, Paul would do one thing: forget yesterday and reach for tomorrow.

One thing I do….forgetting the past and reaching for the future.

As I reflect on Paul’s words, I am challenged to release 2011 and reach for 2012.

In releasing 2011, I first I rejoice and praise the Lord for so many good things that happened in this past year. I am a blessed man and thank God for every blessing. But I choose to release everything from 2011 that disrupted my dreams, blocked my goals, discouraged my heart, hindered my spiritual progress or robbed me of things I treasure. I soundly reject all negative things from 2011 and refuse to drag them into 2012.

Reaching for 2012, I wholeheartedly desire to stand firm in faith, hold on to hope and dream a dream for the glory of God. I resolve in 2012 to reach out to lay hold of everything that strengthens my faith, shores up my hope and makes my God-given dreams come true. I am filled with anticipation and excitement as I think about what God might do in 2012.

FAITH. HOPE. AND A DREAM. That’s what is on my heart for the New Year. So how will I do it? By keeping my heart and eyes fixed on Jesus. Looking to Jesus, He will perfect, complete, and finish my and your faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

What about one thing for you? As the clock ticks away, winding down 2011 and winding up 2012, it is time to do one thing: Release your past and reach with faith to the future because the future is forward, not backward.

Why not take a few minutes to get alone with the Lord. Take your Bible, a pen and a pad of paper (or your I-Pad for you young whipper-snappers!). Wait quietly and expectantly on Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what you need to release and forget from 2011. Then, for 2012, trust the Lord to strengthen your faith, shore up your hope, and show you a big dream that won’t come to pass without God’s help.

My fellow Christian, 2011 is ancient history. Refuse to look back. Let go of yesterday. 2012 is history waiting to be made. Choose to reach forward. Keep pressing on today, tomorrow, and tomorrow…….every tomorrow God gives you.

Walk by faith, share your hope and watch your dreams come true!

“But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

“Let your eyes look directly ahead, and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.” Proverbs 4:27

A Word For Your Week: Look forward to 2012 with faith, hope and a dream.