“Forgetting those things which are behind ... I press toward the goal,” – Philippians 3: 13-14.
The month of January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. He was symbolized as a man with two faces, one looking back and the other looking ahead.
In this first month of 2017, some people have trouble looking ahead with hope because they keep looking back and moping over the mistakes of the past. Their outlook for the future is dimmed, and their enthusiasm is dampened. But there is no use “crying over spilled milk.” History is likely to repeat itself if they keep on brooding over failures of the old year or continue complaining about the injustices they suffered in the last 12 months. Nothing is gained by continually grieving over the past.
On the first day of this new year, begin by changing your life for the better by becoming a Christian. In your faith in Jesus, turn from sin and come to Christ via the New Birth, being baptized into the name of the sacred and divine Three. As a less than faithful Christian, confess your sins to the Lord and accept the gracious forgiveness He gives. Make right what needs correcting.
“Forgetting those things which are behind,” press onward with confidence and trust in your heavenly Father. That was Paul’s secret, and it worked.
Let’s not be “two-faced” like the Roman god of beginnings. Rather, with a forward look, let’s move ahead with hope and joy.
What mistakes of the past are still burdening you? Have you confessed them to God and accepted His complete forgiveness? (1 John 1 :9).
When you do, your future will hold great promise.
Once you’ve looked back, you are ready to move forward.
Have a blessed new year.