A New Attitude for the New Year



New Year's has always been one of my favorite days. That is because it gives me a recurring moment to begin, recommit to, or drop things from my life. That is an attitude goal that I often fail to keep active due to the rigors of life, but New Year's Day lets me return to the "default" setting and begin again, at least in terms of attitude.


This idea of returning our attitude to the "default" mode is evident in the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote, 

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 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. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.  --Philippians 3:12-16, NASB 1995

Only God knows what will happen in this New Year, and he will let us know the right attitude to have in response. So, let us forget what lies behind us and press on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I pray we all have a Happy, Blessed, and Best New Year. Now go and let it happen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Meaning of Metanoia Praxis, Part Two

Image
When a coach teaches a rowing crew or a basketball team how to be successful, it only makes sense for the team to begin putting the new skill into practice. (Sometimes putting a new skill into practice takes practice.) Likewise, if one receives a career promotion, continuing to do the same old job in the same old ways would be foolish. These changes are not natural (they do not occur passively). Rather, they come about because of an intentional decision to grow. The same logic can be applied to Christian living. The term praxis is a Greek term often defined as putting a theory into practice, but the full meaning is much deeper. Aristotle thought of praxis as an intentional action toward a desired end. However, the act of practicing itself could be a part of the objective. So, the idea of Christian praxis is to intentionally put Christian thought into practice, with the understanding that the act of trying to live as a Christian (as Christ) is part of what is desired. When coupled w
Read more

Choose Carefully Whom You Will Serve

Image
          How are things with you and your family? Is your home a place where everything runs smoothly? Are your family members all dedicated to a common purpose? Is their peace and tranquility in the midst of industrious effort for good? No? Don't feel bad, we are still working to improve at my house too.           Family is special — so special that our families are usually our dearest earthly relationships, the family is the oldest human institution on the earth, and family life is the foundation of society. Family is important and doing family life right should be one of our greatest concerns.           Joshua recognized the importance family life as he gave final instructions to the Israelites in Joshua 24:1-28 . After initial success in the promised land, the Israelites renew their covenant with God despite the requirement for righteous living it carries. We would be wise to follow the example of Joshua and his household in their choice to serve the Lord,
Read more