From the Pastor
It’s the start of a new year and, whether or not we’ve written them down, we all have things we’d like to do differently in the year ahead. Those things are called resolutions. According to one survey the top three resolutions for 2018 are:
· get healthy and fit (which usually involves dieting)
· get organized
· live life to the fullest (which often involves new hobbies and travel)
Those are all worthwhile, but let me suggest another from the Apostle Paul. He wrote:
“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.”
There will be times in 2018 when life becomes like a treadmill. You’re going along at a good clip, but the moment you take your eyes off of what you’re doing you will fall. That includes looking back. Our enemy the devil seeks to discourage us by reminding us of the sins we’ve committed. He wants us to focus on the past. Paul tells us to strain towards what’s ahead, to push ahead for our goal.
What’s our goal? Our goal is to become like Christ so that we might live with Him in His coming kingdom. Reaching that goal involves walking in the Spirit, allowing our minds to be renewed by God’s Word, and maintaining close fellowship with God through talking to Him in prayer and let His Word dwell richly in our hearts and minds.
Losing weight and getting organized are both worthwhile, but nowhere near as important as our walk with God. In 2018 I hope you’ll take Paul’s challenge and set one goal above all others: the goal of becoming like Christ.
Think about that,
RB