A New Year brings excitement and anticipation of the things to come. We put the old behind us and believe the new year will bring better opportunities. As we look ahead we need to put to bed all the baggage of the past year and not bring it forward. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:12-14; 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. 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.
We look ahead, making plans for the new racing season. We look at the schedules and plan the events we will compete in. We set in place the plans that will fill 2017 with the excitement of racing competition. Have we let the past direct our future?
Many times we see the past as a direction for the future. Truth be told the past is over, done finished. It cannot be changed. It cannot be redone. It becomes an obstacle for reaching forward. I think it best to release the past, the burden, and the chains that prevent us from reaching beyond what we can see to what God has prepared for us.
I am not saying we cannot learn from the events of the past; that is required to move forward. We shouldn’t let the past keep us from pressing forward and obtaining the blessings prepared for us.
In my travels I have learned many things about how people deal with the past. One that made an impression on me was the way people in Haiti deal with it. Do you know the best time to rob a Haitian home? On New Year’s Day morning. Why? Because there is no one home. You will find them in Church; everyone. Even the ones that are not regular attenders are in church on this day.
You might wonder why. The reason is twofold, first it is Independence Day and the people, all the people, are thankful for that. They credit God with accomplishing that. The second is more personal. Each person, on their own, kneels before God and thanks Him for deliverance and provision for the year past. They then put it behind them by asking for forgiveness for their transgressions. They ask for a clean slate to enter the new year. They forget what is behind and press on toward the future with God’s blessing.
Everyone, even those who do not live daily in a way that honors God still fear and respect the power God has over life and death. They desire that clean slate to enter each year with a chance to begin again. That is exactly whet God offers each one of us. A chance to begin again. Put the past behind us and look forward with hope to the provision that God has prepared for us.
Luke 12:25; Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
I encourage you to take a moment and come before God. Ask Him to wipe the slate clean. He will. Ask Him to guide your steps in the new year. He will help you achieve the most fulfilling and satisfying things that will make your life complete. Seek Him and find life, true life. Amen
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
