Turn the Page

 

It’s been said that January 1st is the first blank page of a brand new 365-page book.

Welcome to page 5. How is it going so far for you?

I must confess that I am still lingering on the finer details on page 326 of my 2016 publication.

I feel like I am a little behind on my editorial deadlines. I am not done with 2016 yet, and I’ve received a new assignment.

I keep looking back and trying to apply white out to certain lines that I’d like to revise. I wish I could elaborate a bit more here and there.

Is it just me, or does 2016 need a little bit more work?

Sigh.

Today, I decided to set down my red pen and highlighter. I surrendered to the inevitable. I cannot continue to re-work 2016.  It’s a closed chapter.

Time to turn the page.

I am already on page 5 of 2017, and precious moments are slipping by. If I keep trying to fix 2016 (or 2015 or 1999), I am never going to write a bestseller today.

I can’t revise what has passed. I must put all my creative energy into writing a beautiful story today.

How to Turn the Page:

Reflect with wisdom: Take time to consider how well you fleshed out the character of Christ last year. Even if 2016 was a bit of a horror story, did you learn more about who Jesus is? Are you growing in wisdom? That’s progress, my friend.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown (Proverbs 4:6-9, NIV).


Respond with grace: Don’t beat yourself up over the unfinished narratives or muddled plot lines. You can lament the tragedy, but you shouldn’t turn your focus backward permanently. Remember your story is not finished yet. Greater things are yet to come, and God loves to re-write epitaphs into glorious epics.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose…What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:28 & 31). 


Reconstruct with purpose: Adopt a new perspective. Freshen up what is tired and not working in your portfolio. Allow yourself to dream big again. Put on your creative lenses and write with new passion. Envision your happy ending and dip into a new inkwell.

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 (Philippians 3:12-14).



Today is a fresh page.  Make your life a story worth telling. 

 

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Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Turn the Page” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

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