January 2005
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12-14).
A NEW YEAR: WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR DASH TIME?
In the cemetery tombstones are usually marked with the date one is born, and then there is a dash, and the date of death. All the individuals in the graveyard have this experience in common, they were born and they died. Each individual finds their uniqueness in what took place in their dash time.
Likewise, as we start a new year, we have to produce our own dash time. At one second after midnight on December 31, 2004, we will all start our dash time and if we are still living, it will end on December 31, 2005 at 12:00. So, we too will gain our distinction by what we do in our dash time. Hopefully, you will agree with me that time is a precious commodity. Once it is used it cannot be recaptured or recycled. So, we should pray to the Lord as the Psalmist, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). As we start this New Year, what will you do with your dash time?
Second, “we should forget those things which are behind” (v13). We should leave the past behind. Last year (2004) is gone never to rise again. Here, Paul uses the metaphor of a runner in a race leaning or throwing himself forward, stretching himself out with his energies. He does not look back, nor compare himself to the relative position of the other runner. Looking back can slow you down. Looking back can cause you to stumble as you move forward. Looking back can blur your vision of what is in the front of you. If you drag last year’s issues into the New Year, you will not be starting anew, but rather continuing the past. As we enter into this New Year we should forget the past hurts, the past mistakes, the past failures. We should forget lost jobs, broken relations, and worries. Yes, we should even forget our victories and achievements. For, sometimes if we put too much focus on what we have done we may begin to think that we have arrived. God has given us a second chance, a clean slate, and a new opportunity. So, forget those things that are behind.
Finally, we should be “reaching forth” and....”press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ” (vv13c; 14). We should have a heavenly goal and a divine purpose for the year. We should have a sense of intentionality as it relates to our goals. Knowing our goal will help us to set objectives that will leads to fruition. We should be single minded in our determination to be Kingdom-people. Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” Matt. 6:33). Someone has aptly said, “If you don’t know where you are going any road will lead you there.” We are call to press and strain with every fiber in our body. We should not allow ourselves to settle for lesser goals than the heavenly one “the high calling of God.” Paul admonishes the Ephesians to, “….walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Eph. 4:1b). This year, we should live on the tip of our toes reaching and pressing to gain our prize.
So, how will you spend the next 365 days forging your dash time? You now have a canvas and the paint and you are the artist. You are at the starting line of your race. You now have an open door. Will you join with me in praying to the Lord, “Lord, lift me up, and I shall stand By faith, on heaven’s table land; A higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground”?