Moving Ahead

Inspiration truly does come from the most unlikely of places. I saw this pic on Facebook and my thoughts began to churn as I was reminded that we human beings pretty much get what we focus on.



When I go into a situation looking for bad, I'll find it. But when I look for the good in others or in situations, I find it instead.



It's all too easy to get caught up in the mistakes of the past and the negatives of today, but really we need to be focused on one thing and one thing only.



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 (NASB)



Forget the Past

It's over. There's no going back for a do over at this point. Sometimes we hold on so tightly to our yesterdays we can't claim the joy and beauty of today. We hold on to so much junk. Unforgiveness. Bitterness. Resentment. Our own stupid mistakes. Let it go.



Reach Forward

At a Christian music conference one year, I heard a speaker use the phrase "You can't park here" in regard to improving our God-given gifts through practice. That phrase has stuck with me. As much as we'd like to stop the merry-go-round-madness that life often brings, we must "press on."



Focus on the Goal

Olympic athletes know the importance of focusing on the goal. They can't afford to get distracted by anything going on around them. To do so means failure. It is the same for us as Christ-followers. Our goal is a prize. The prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.



On this eve of the new year as I contemplate the goals and resolutions I hope to implement in the coming twelve months, my prayer is that above all I keep my eyes firmly focused on the main goal and move--inch by inch if need be--toward that prize of all prizes.



Wishing you all a blessed New Year centered on Him,