|
“FORGETTING WHAT LIES BEHIND…”
January 1st
represents a time to start over; to reflect on ways to improve lifestyle,
health or relationships. It can be invigorating and motivating to accomplish
greater things.
For some, the New Year can
be overwhelming. Focusing on memories of past disappointments and failures
weigh heavily, rendering a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness.
God always offers
hope and opportunity to “start over” through believing His Son, Christ Jesus
and everything He stands for. He says in Matthew 19:26 that “With men
this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” The
apostle Paul shows us in Philippians 3:13-14 how he worked through his life’s
regrets. “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;
but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to
what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus.” (NAS)
In his popular country hit,
“Live Like You Were Dyin,” Tim McGraw tells how his perspective in
life changed when he had a talk with a friend who got a doctor’s report that
he didn’t have long to live. It goes like this:
He
said I was in my early 40’s,
With a lot of life before me,
And a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
I spent most of the next days, lookin’ at the x-rays,
Talkin’ bout the options and talkin’ bout sweet time.
Asked him when it sank in, that this might really be
the real end.
How’s it hit ya, when you get that kind of news?
Man what ya do?
And he says,
[Chorus]
I
went sky divin’,
I went Rocky Mountain climbin’,
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu.
And I loved deeper,
And I spoke sweeter,
And I gave forgiveness I’ve been denying,
And he said someday I hope you get the chance,
To live like you were dyin’.
He said I was finally the husband,
That most the time I wasn’t.
And I became a friend a friend would like to have.
And all the sudden goin’ fishing wasn’t such an
imposition.
And I went three times that year I lost my Dad.
Well I finally read The Good Book,
And I finally took a good long hard look at what I’d
do
If I could do it all again.
And then
[Chorus]
Like tomorrow was a gift and you’ve got eternity
To think
about what you do with it.
What could
you do with it, what can I do with it,
What would I
do with it.
[Chorus]
Sky divin’,
I went Rocky
Mountain climbin’,
I went 2.7
seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu.
And I loved
deeper,
And I spoke
sweeter,
And I watched
an eagle as it was flyin’.
And he said
someday I hope you get the chance,
To live like
you were dyin’.
To live like
you were dyin’.
To live like
you were dyin’.
To live like
you were dyin’.
To live like
you were dyin’.
Many of you that I have
spoken with face-to-face have heard me tell the story that after 5 years of
widowhood, my Mother remarried at the age of 80. She and my Step-dad said,
“We know we don’t have much time left on this earth. Because of this, we
are committed to enjoy every second of our lives together.” That is how
we should all live our lives; knowing that Jesus could come for us at any
moment…and then we REALLY get to live! Sky-diving, Rocky Mountain
climbing, drag racing, and any other favorite pastime will seem colorless in
light of the eternal presence of God, our Father, Jesus Christ, His Son, and
the glory of His Holy Spirit.
New Year…Bring it on!
“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.” Philippians
4:13
Linda Smiley |
