New Year ,new Hope.

Let us closely examine this verse,

Philippians 3:13-14

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. "(NLT)

I want us to see how we can turn this new year to be better than last year.And how we can rekindle our hope if during the past year every bit of it was destroyed.I believe by now some are already fretting about what the new year holds.But there is a way you can manage the new year and make it worthwhile.

The first thing is to forget the past.

Paul says that he is not all that he should be but still focuses his energies on forgetting the past.And that is the point.Sometimes we allow the past to rob us the happiness that should presently be ours.We stay long in regrets over failed plans in our life,or assignments we did not complete,or even standards we were not able to meet.This can easily lead to pain and grief that will disturb our peace .And when peace is gone,our fellowship with God is broken.

I believe forgetting the past with its hurts,regrets or pain is quite important.As you face the new year,isn’t it time to forget those moments that did not work the way you planned.Time to disregard the feeling of helplessness over goals that were not reached or targets that misfired and strongly believe that with God on your side you will set your hope high.The fact that the previous year ended with none of your plans accomplished is not a reason to dismiss this new year that might be carrying great surprises for you.

Another thing to do is to strive ahead.A better word is press on.You might have no valid reason to do so but press on.A dark cloud may be hanging over your life right now but press on anyway.Those who give up too soon misses great opportunities that are lurking around the corner.There is hope because it is a new day!There is hope because God is in that day! Press on and see what he has kept in store for you.Do you know that in life you are the only one who has power over your plans or vision? You alone can decide to kill them and killed they will be.Or you can hang unto them and voila! you might see them accomplished!

Even after undergoing great challenges in your life know that you are not knocked out yet.A knock down is never a knock out.Paul says he strives ahead,he presses on and that is in spite and despite of all trials he was facing.

But we can not press on without getting the prize right.What is the prize for our faithfulness and commitment in Christ.That is also something to consider as you labor this year.Ask yourself this questions?Are we to live just for this life? Only work to get good education for our children,or own beautiful and expensive homes and maybe even run big businesses?Is that the only thing we should strive for.While I agree it is important to make our life here worthwhile but let it is good to know that if we set wrong goals, we will apply wrong methods to attain it.Our prize is to see Jesus face in Heaven.We strive to this end,living righteous and holy lives.We should set our sight on this one goal.To be with our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven and at His coming.

As we celebrate the New Year let us set our goals right.Let us forget the past with its pain and regrets.Let us press on in this race setting our sight on our high calling in Christ.A new hope beckons.A hope of a new dawn.A hope to make amends the past mistakes and a hope to live as better Christians today,earning a rightful living.A hope to be with Jesus at his coming.