Happy New Year / Καλή Χρονιά to all my blog readers in Cyprus and abroad!
Life has been somewhat muddled and tangled for the majority of us in 2020!
Many of our plans have been put on hold while waiting patiently for our circumstances to return to normal.
However, may we go into 2021 with Christian hope and courage! We can say with the apostle Paul:
... one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
Paul often used terms associated with sports competitions and training to express his level of commitment to fulfilling God's will in his life.
William Barclay comments:
The word he uses for reaching out (epekteinomenos) is very vivid and is used of a racer going hard for the tape. It describes him with eyes for nothing but the goal. It describes the man who is going flat out for the finish. So Paul says that in the Christian life we must forget every past achievement and remember only the goal which lies ahead.
Paul encourages us to forget what is behind and to go forward in God's strength as a competitive athlete approaching the finishing line.
We all have different spheres of influence for spreading the Gospel and God's love while striving for the heavenly goal. Let us endeavour in 2021 to be pursuing God's will and purpose for our lives.
Latchi Harbour
As we 'reach forth' or 'press on' towards the goal, we are assured of God's favour and help. The rhetorical question: if God is for us, who can be against us? posed in Paul's letter to the Romans reminds us that God stands with us even if this world is against us. This should inspire us to continue walking in faith and holding fast to the promises in His Word.
Sing with joy now: our God is for us
The Father’s love is a strong and mighty fortress
Raise your voice now, no love is greater
Who can stand against us if our God is for us.
(From 'God is For Us' by Cityalight)
May the New Year 2021 provide new opportunities to press on towards the goal with the assurance that God is for us as we live for Him!
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