Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
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. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Phil 3: 13-16
Leave the past behind you now
And press on towards the goal.
Fix your eyes on Jesus,
He will make you whole!
Use the knowledge He has given
In your daily life.
It will be a beacon
When you're faced with strife.
Push aside temptations and fears
As you seek to gain the prize-
That which is our home in heaven-
Lord, teach me to be wise.
A new year. A fresh start. Letting go of the past and embracing the now. As the new year begins, we reflect on the past year-the good, the bad, the ugly. We look back fondly on the wonderful things that occurred last year. We ponder the events that were difficult. But we mustn’t dwell on them. As we move forward into the new year, we need to acknowledge the past, then leave it behind. We need to live in the present. (Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Isaiah 43:18-19)
It’s easy for me to live in the past. I love to reminisce about family gatherings, friendships, trips, and other events. But, I also tend to ruminate over bad memories. I can get into a woulda-shoulda-coulda spiral that is not mentally healthy. Paul tells us to leave those things in the past. (But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead… Philippians 3:13) How do we do this? We fix our eyes on Jesus. I can’t change the past, so why dwell in it? The more I focus on Jesus and all He’s done and is doing in my life, those painful memories begin to fade. I may not completely forget the event, but the details become fuzzier. I’m able to move forward, letting go of the pain little by little.
How do we stay fixed on Jesus? Paul tells us to press on toward the goal of eternal life. (I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14) Our goal is eternity with Jesus, so we keep that prize in view. It’s easy to stay the course when all is right in our life. But, when troubles arise, our faith is tested. That view of the prize is blocked. If we take the wrong detour, we’re led astray. It’s essential that we call on God and our Christian friends to keep us on track. We also turn to scripture for guidance. God’s Word is our guiding light towards that prize. (Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105) It keeps us from going astray. (How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:9-11)
So, perhaps this year instead of a New Year’s Resolution, you take on the goal of pressing toward the ultimate prize-eternity with Jesus. We know this year will have its share of ups and downs, but remember that Jesus is on that rollercoaster of life with us. He’s pointing us to that prize at the end of the ride. Embrace this year with your eyes fully fixed on Jesus as you move toward that goal!
Dear Jesus, as I start off on this new year, help me to be focused on You. Help me to let go of the things in my past I cannot change. May Your Word guide me through the highs and lows of this year as I press on toward the prize of eternal life with You. Amen