Monday, January 1, 2018

What is your "one thing" for 2018?

What is your "one thing" for 2018?

This one thing I do...

Wow! Can you believe that the year of 2017 is officially now behind us?! Much of the chatter online and in TV commercials centers around the topic of losing the weight that we probably picked up over the holidays. OK, maybe it has been hanging along for a bit longer than the holidays but at least we can blame it on that! While I know that each of the moments from our timeline in this past year is part of who we are today, are there any things that you would like to leave behind? Below are two really good and inspirational quotes.

“You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important
decision you will ever make. Forget your past. Who have you decided you really are
now? Don’t think about who you have been. Who are you now? Who have you
decided to become? Make this decision consciously. Make it carefully. Make it
powerfully.” Anthony Robbins

“You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You
don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of
your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.” Johnny Cash

There is a fellow named Paul (who wrote about half of the New Testament in the Bible), and he writes in Philippians 3:13-14, No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

For those that are committed to a relationship with Christ, I am always shocked at how many people may believe that Jesus has forgiven them for things in their past (who would be willing to call Him a liar?!), but they have yet to extend forgiveness to their own self. Do you need to forgive yourself about anything, no matter if it is something from last week, last year, last decade, etc?  Do you really want to haul that baggage with you into 2018? 

It is always unfortunate and heartbreaking to see a homeless person on the street. So much of our society is just a paycheck or two away from losing their place of residence, but sometimes you see the homeless with a shopping cart or tons of bags. In their situation, you can actually see the baggage or belongings that they have or are dragging around. If you could see what your baggage looks like and how much space it occupies, what would it look like? Would you really want it to go away? Many times people are more comfortable with the pain of the past than the thought of letting it go. I challenge you to choose to let it go. Ask Jesus to help you and/or find someone that would be willing to help you pray through letting it go. Jesus wants you to have all the freedom that He purchased for you on the cross!

My former wife, Sally (who I lost to colon cancer), shared with me some wise counsel that her father had told her. After Sally got her driver's license, her dad told her not to look in the rear view mirror and just concentrate on the road ahead. If you don't appreciate that counsel, the next time you drive in a major downtown somewhere, start looking in your rear view mirror as much as possible. That will cure you! It kind of freaks me out wondering whether the car behind me is tailgating or whether they will rear end me. 

Yesterday, my wife and I were with a group of friends where we had some worship time together and then we talked about what we would like to leave behind in 2017 and not drag into 2018. We handed out slips of paper, then wrote those things down on paper. At the end of our time together, we threw them in the fire as an offering. It was a metaphor and act of faith. By choosing to name it and choosing to write it down, we also chose to offer those things to the Lord. We trust Him to provide the grace and mercy necessary to help us move into this new year without the encumbrance of things in the past that would not be productive as we walk into 2018.

I hope you choose to focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which you are being called.

“My Future Decided” by Hillsong United 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha_NBKvsgI8
Lyrics:- You hold the future in your hands 
You know my dreams and
you have a plan
 And as you light my way, I’ll follow you
My eyes on all of the above 
My soul secure in all you’ve done

My mind's made up
 And you are the only one for me
Jesus, Savior, in my life you are everything
 My future decided,
I will praise your name 
And I know that I am, I am yours
Yeah, I know
that I am, I am yours
You hold the earth in your command
 You are the rock on which I
stand
 And as I live each day, I’ll follow you
My eyes on all of the above
 My soul secure in all you’ve done

My mind's made up
 And you are the only one for me

Jesus, savior, in my life you are everything 
My future decided,
I will praise your name
 And I know that I am, I am yours

Yeah, I know that I am, I am yours
Aren’t afraid, aren’t ashamed  Lord we know who we are
 We are your
people and we won’t be silent
 Unified hear us cry at the top of our
lungs
 You are our God and we will not be shaken
Aren’t afraid, aren’t ashamed Lord we know who we are
 We are your
people and we won’t be silent 
Unified hear us cry at the top of our
lungs
 You our God and we will not be shaken
Jesus, Savior, in my life you are everything 
My future decided, I will
praise your name
 And I know that I am, I am yours
 Yeah, I know
that I am, I am yours (2)
Yeah, I know that I am, I am yours
 Yeah, I know that I am, I am
yours