Reflecting Back to Move Forward

Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14, AMP)

Another year is coming to a close. I can hardly believe it. Every year I think I will accomplish a little bit more than I actually do. The enemy is good like that. He tries to make you think of everything you didn’t do. He get’s you stuck in yesterday so that you don’t enjoy today and don’t fully live out tomorrow. He’s smart. He knows if he gets us spinning our wheels thinking about the woulda, coulda, and shoulda that our effectiveness for Christ will be lost. The end of the year marks a time of celebration, not a time of condemnation.

This is the time to celebrate what I did accomplish. And as I reflect back on all that God has done this last year in and through me, that’s when I see a successful year. A year filled with God’s grace. A year of new beginnings. A year of surprises. A year of trials. A year of learning how to balance life with 2 kids and a website. A year of stretching myself just a little farther than I stretched myself last year. A year of growth. A year of finding out what it means to be more Christlike as I survive the fires of life.

No matter how hot the fire gets, I must remember it’s that fire that burns away my wickedness. It burns away the impurities of my heart so I can be more Christlike and serve God better. That fire melts away the ugliness of who I am and brings out the beauty of who Christ is in me. I don’t really care for it at times, but knowing what that fire produces makes it all worth it.

Yesterday is gone. And as 2015 comes to a close I make a choice to reflect on what God has done. I choose to see what has been accomplished. I celebrate the goodness of God and His ongoing faithfulness in my life. My list may have a few things unchecked on it but I believe that God accomplished what He wanted to accomplish this year. I reflect back to say thank you to the Lord for another great year, another year of serving Him, another year of growing in His grace, another year of experiencing His provision in my life, and another year of walking with Jesus.

May you take the time to reflect back on 2015 so you can be more successful in 2016. There’s still time to forgive that one person your holding a grudge against. There’s still time to make that phone call. Still time to invite someone to church. Still time to celebrate who God is in your life. Let’s close this year with a bang! Let’s close it praising the Father for all that He has done.

Dear Father God, Thank you for another year. Thank you that my life is not defined by what I don’t get done. My life is defined by my relationship with Jesus. Did I grow in Christ? Did I become a little more like my Savior? Did I extend more grace this year? Lord, I pray the answer to these questions is yes. May my heart continue to be surrendered to you. I’m yours, please use me to advance your glory and may my life only serve the purpose of YOU, my King. 

Reflecting Back to Move Forward,