When you get to my age, HAPPY NEW YEAR is a state of mind, not an event!  My husband and I don't often make it until midnight.  We celebrate with whichever province and time zone corresponds with our bedtime!  

Rather than focusing on New Years' Resolutions, or plans and adventures for the upcoming year, I tend to be a bit more reflective on the year just past.  I recall highlights, remember adventures and meditate on the goodness of God.  I also lean towards evaluating my life and choices, wanting to learn from the past and apply wisdom to the future.  Sounds heavy, doesn't it?

This year, I scrolled through some verses of the Bible as potential themes for the upcoming year.  The ones that captured my attention are Philippians 3:12-14:  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  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 Apostle Paul was a missionary, like me.  He gave His life to serve Jesus Christ in full-time ministry to bring the Gospel to people who had not heard.  Ever since I accept Christ as my Saviour (July 1981) I felt a tugging on my heart to go into ministry/church work.  I've traveled and taught the Bible and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ as a missionary to the inner city of Regina and to Indigenous people in Canada.

But the similarities end there! Paul was a strong, courageous, intelligent and learned man.  His life journey took him to dangerous and dark places.  He was beaten, imprisoned, taken to trial and left for dead because of his preaching.  He sacrificed religious status and financial success, even giving up any rights to a wife or family. From prison, he wrote several letters to new churches and those became part of the canon of Scripture.  Because of him and the other Apostles of the 1st century, we all have been able to hear and accept the Gospel.  Huge impact.

Many of us look up to Paul as a super-Christian.  His spiritual life, insights and impact seem beyond what any of us could ever reach.  And yet, this verse in the letter to the church in Philippi expresses Paul's humble opinion of himself.  "Not that I have already obtained all this...I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it..."  What is Paul referring to that he still lacks?

Perfection.  Holiness. Fullness.  Christlikeness.

This coming year, I want to press on, to forget what is behind and to strain toward seeking and knowing Jesus better.

Simple.  But not easy.

I can look back at the past year and see where I've grown and what I've accomplished.  I can see how God carried me through some difficult and impossible challenges.  I can fall on my knees in gratitude and praise for how the Lord graciously helped me and my family.  

I can also reflect on where I still need to grow: patience, humility, forgiveness, generosity, prayerfulness, thankfulness, grace, discipline, love... I need to"forget" what is behind: the offenses I've experienced in relationship with others, the mistakes and sins I've committed. I must let go of things that I can't change.  Paul had learned the art of forgetting what happened before and moving on by faith to embrace the pursuit of God.  It wasn't about setting goals for his next missionary journeys, how many cities he would visit or how many churches he would establish.  His "pressing on" was personal, not career-minded.  

His "one thing" was putting all his effort into pleasing the Lord, becoming more like Jesus and winning the prize of the high calling of being a child of God, a citizen of heaven!  Nothing else matters.

So this new year, I challenge myself - and you - to let go of the regrets and even the points of pride from the last 12 months.  Forgive those who trespassed against you.  Deal with your past and don't try to run from it.  And strain forward to pursue the knowledge and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is worth it all! Get into the Bible; study and memorize it. Pray, without ceasing.  Join a Bible study, get involved in church.  Share your testimony and what God is teaching you with someone else who needs to be encouraged in things of the faith.  

1 Chronicles 16:11 "Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!"