A New Year’s Race

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.3:13b-14 ESV)  This is such a good verse for the first day of a new year! And Luke 9:62 goes right along with it: “Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” If you look back while you’re plowing, you will plow crooked, uneven rows! We cannot look with longing or regrets at the past. We must focus on the now and on the future, straining through each day’s race and each day’s struggles to reach the end of our journey which is the true beginning of life. As it tells us in Hebrews 12:1-2, let’s throw off our sins and “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.” 2 Kings 25:29 says it in other words: “So Jehoichin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life.” May we do the same. Let us throw aside our clothes of sin and daily surrender ourselves to the Lord in prayer and Bible study so He can help us run the race. We can endure because He endured!

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