Leaving The Past Behind

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 KJV

At midnight tonight, we will close the chapter on another year. It hardly seems possible this can be true; the year has sped by quickly. It seems like just a few days ago we were beginning the year.

As we look back over the last twelve months, there have been some good times and some tough times. But through it all the Lord has been there for us, watching over us and meeting every need. He has been our Comforter when we faced times of mourning, our Counselor when we had decisions to make, our Encourager when things looked dark, our Physician in times of sickness, and our Friend when we needed Him.

Our church theme this year was 24/7/24 – “living for Jesus twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, in twenty-twenty-four.” Our Pastor and his assistants have delivered messages from the Word that strengthened and encouraged us to draw closer to the Lord. Prayer has been strongly emphasized and we have seen impressive results from this. The worship in our services has grown and many new people have been added to our congregation. We are so thankful for the way the Lord has blessed us.

Now the year is over, and it is all right to take some time to reflect on it, rejoice in the highlights, and maybe cry a bit over the times that were not so pleasant. After we have done so, it is time to look ahead to what the Lord wants for us in the new year.

I like the way the J.B. Phillips New Testament expresses these verses in Philippians 3:12-14

“Yet, my brothers, I do not consider myself to have “arrived”, spiritually, nor do I consider myself already perfect. But I keep going on, grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasped me. My brothers, I do not consider myself to have fully grasped it even now. But I do concentrate on this: I leave the past behind and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal—my reward the honour of being called by God in Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you for all your blessings and your guidance over the past year. Now we look forward with anticipation to what the coming year has in store for us. Maybe this will be the year you will return to take your people home. Help us to walk with you and be ready when you call.

Devotion by Anne Johnston