December 28, 2005

 

…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:10-14

 

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, we have an opportunity to examine our lives past and project upon what is to be in the coming months. I always like this time of year because it’s a time of spiritual renewal and growth in my own life.

 

Throughout the changes and seasons of his life, the Apostle Paul remained the Christian optimist — positive, progressive, and futurist. Because he had committed his life to Jesus, he was able to look to the future with confidence. While we look at our calendars change, we can rest assured that Chris does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

Three attitudes in the life of Paul that I believe will help you and me as we face our future in 2006 and beyond are: dynamic purpose, determined attitude, and divine motivation.  Do you have a dynamic purpose in your life? Do you have a purpose that gets you out of bed in the morning and gets you going every day?

 

Forget about your past sins and successes, and focus on living your life for Christ today and every day for the rest of your life. We ought to live the Christian life “pressing on!” Every day the Christian should live like an athlete striving to win the gold medal. Don’t quit in the middle of the game because we don’t work for earthly things. We have a high calling in Jesus Christ, so it’s always above and beyond for His glory!

 

IT’S NOT YOUR APTITUDE BUT YOUR ATTITUDE THAT DETERMINES YOUR ALTITUDE IN LIFE.