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.  Paul, Ephesians 3.13,14

Happy New Year!  What will this year hold for you? There will be smiles, struggles, satisfaction and yes, sin--the stuff our lives are made of. While nothing magical happens when we turn the calendar page to 2015, it is representative of the passing of time . . . something at which we can sigh, something we can contemplate. I'm not really so big on New Year's resolutions because too often they seem to land in the scrap pile, however, I am partial to introspection, and goal setting.

As the apostle Paul indicates, we must not let the past cripple us or hold us back, and yet we must go into the future mindful of it—the past, that is. Look at the above verse again.  I love the imagery of the runner straining for the finish line, chest pushed forward so as to be the first to break the tape at the finish line. Paul is referring to the finish line of life--he never takes his eye off the forever of Heaven, or the temporari-ness of life; his goal is the reward of Heaven. So whether there are smiles or struggles, we are mindful that this world is not our final destination.

Where would you like to GROW in 2015?  Next December 31, when you look back at the 364 days you logged, what would you like to see?  Since we are not just body, but soul and mind too--let's start there . . .

So, how will you feed your soul and your spirit, so as to be where you ought? Paul said, 'Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ'¹, therefore studying the life of Christ, and the disciplines of Christ are invaluable. Disciplines, spiritual and otherwise, learned and practiced, free us to become who we are meant to become. [You might want to reread that sentence because it is so true.]  DISCIPLINE involves training, whether for physical or spiritual growth.  Paul so eloquently wrote, 'Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.' The Corinthian people were very familiar with the Olympian games, including foot races where the prize was a perishable wreath. Paul said, 'So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.'²

         >Discipline frees us to become who we were meant to be.<

What do you think God would envision for your spiritual growth in 2015?  Purposing to consume a healthy diet, get good exercise, and rest well are all parts of physical training.  Strides in your spiritual condition are also made through training.  Now, here’s the funny thing—some of you want a ‘get spiritually mature in seven days or less’ kind of plan.  I am sorry, but it doesn’t work like that.  Your body didn’t become mature in seven days, it won’t get ‘fit’ in seven days, and neither will your soul. 

Just how might you go about spiritual training?  Simply:  >Read and study Scripture, like these Morning Briefings and more!  Pick up the Word—read the psalms, read the Gospels, etc.  Get to know your Maker and his plans for you

>Pray - talk to your Father, like you do a friend, and seek his wisdom and direction  daily.

>Do you worship God?  Oh, how he loves that!  While worship includes meeting together with other like-minded people in a set-apart place to lift up the name of God, it is not limited to that. 

>Serve God by serving others, and giving of yourself to them.

Would you like to grow in any of these areas this year—study of Scripture, prayer, worship or intimacy with God?  How so? ____________________________________________________________________________________________

What will be your plan to make it happen?     ____________________________________________________________

Without a vision, the people perish . . . so live your life on purpose. Let's do some thinking and praying, and then determine how we want to finish this new year we have been given. Go ahead--enVISION yourself crossing the finish line, with your chest pressed out, breaking the tape!

Let's make it a Blessed New Year, let’s embark on a path of spiritual intention.

Christine

1 – 1 Corinthians 11.1

2 - 1 Corinthians 9.24ff, NLT