Ridgell's Originals

I have been doing some version of this post for almost 10 years now.  I do it every year to remind me of my goals for the next year.  

 I freely admit that my New Year’s Resolution this year is borrowed from someone else.  I wanted a very simple goal for this year.  I decided to select one thing and make it my focus.  I found it in my Bible.  It was stated by the Apostle Paul in a letter to the church in Philippi, and it is my one resolution for the year.  Here it is:

            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.

 The resolution is Jesus and here are the three things that Paul was determined to do.  These are good resolutions for all of us.

1.       Forget the past.  Let go of your past sins and poor choices.  God has forgiven you in Christ.  Your past does not have to determine your future.  Let go of guilt, shame, and humiliation.  Stop hanging on to past hurts.  You cannot look forward when you are focused on the past.

2.      Go for the prize.  We are going home to heaven.  Do not quit.  Do not get distracted.  Do not lose sight of where you are going.  Stay on the road that leads to where God has called you.

3.      Press On.  Choose faith over fear, joy over depression, hope over despair, forgiveness over revenge, and love over hate.  Be bold and radical this year in following Jesus.  Give generously.  Pray boldly.  Read God’s Word daily.  Share your faith.  Represent Jesus in your world.  Share your faith.

One thing:  Jesus.  Three things to do:  forget the past, focus on heaven, and press on till you get there.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM