Every new year brings a fresh opportunity to move forward- to raise our expectations. Regardless of last year’s successes or failures, we must continue to pursue God’s amazing plans for our lives. Some of us will simply count our blessings and expect more of God’s abundant goodness. Others of us will have to get back on track. Whatever the case, we all have a race to run and a course to finish.
Hebrews 12: 1 declares. “Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses {who have borne testimony to the truth}, let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and the sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and LET US RUN WITH PATIENT ENDURANCE and steady and active persistence the APPOINTED COURSE of the RACE that is SET BEFORE US” (Amplified Bible). The Hudson Translation declares. “Now here’s where we come in. Surrounded by such a cloud of veterans of the faith, let’s strip off all heavy and tight fitting clothes and RUN STRETCHING OUT before us.”
We have so many opportunities awaiting us in Christ Jesus-moments to do tremendous good in this world, to be an answer to prayer, or a light in a dark place. Benjamin Disraeli once said. “The secret to success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.” A Senegalese proverb declares, “The opportunity that God sends does not wake up him who is asleep.” Our expectancy, faithful obedience and consecration to God’s will position us for great opportunities to be a great blessing and impact others for Christ.
God has prepared His best for our lives. Will we press on toward the mark and run toward the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus? No one else can run your heavenly race for you. No one else can yield you over to God but you.
Our determination must be to stay aflame toward God. Psalm 39:3 declares, “My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue.” The DeWitt Translation declares. “My heart was HOT WITHIN ME: and while I was musing the fire kindled.” The Spurrell Translation declares. “The FIRE WITHIN ME BURST INTO FLAMES.” The NIV declares, “MY HEART GREW HOT WITHIN ME.”
God, in His love, has a greater plan awaiting us and our families. Let’s press into it!
We love and appreciate you always.
