“Press on toward the goal”

The end of another year often is a time when people resolve to make some change or improvement about themselves in the coming year. Generally, I do not make resolutions because, like many of you, I fail to follow through on them. Nevertheless, the beginning of a new year does seem to be the perfect time to endeavor to make a fresh start, to try to do better, to move forward and make progress in life.

As Christians, we know that deep and lasting change is only possible through the work of the Spirit of Christ within. With that in mind, may I suggest we ask the Lord’s help, as we leave 2008 and look ahead to 2009, to be faithful in doing that which the apostle Paul did:

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

We can’t redo yesterday, however, we can do something about tomorrow. In the strength of the Lord, “press on toward the goal” of becoming more like Christ in 2009.

May God bless you and yours in the New Year.