I Waved Farewell to the Past

The Word of the Day: PAST -- no longer existing. Remember the Von Trapp Family in the "Sound of Music" singing "So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, good-bye"? That's what I did on New Year's Eve." The PAST is now the PAST. And, what a way to say farewell than in a predominately African American crowd at Potter's House - North Dallas! I'm talking "HIGH PRAISES" as we lifted our voices, hands, hearts and even our bodies in joy and gratitude for God's amazing grace that brought us through another year and now a new year of great HOPE (that was the word spoken) for the GOOD things that our God has for us.

We bid a fond farewell to the PAST and we closed the door to its many ups and downs. The door burst wide open to 2018. Isaiah 43:18 says “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the PAST."

I want MORE than ever before in 2018. I'm not talking about things, but as I live in the "God with us" mode, at any time and place, He may come with expectations OF me and surprises FOR me. 2018 will bring a milestone birthday to me, so rather than looking at the PAST, I’m looking ahead. I’m very aware, by now, that life is short. I know that I have less time ahead of me than behind me, so each day I will purpose to live with an eternal perspective. The things that once “bugged” me have very little import to me now. Some quirky people with quirky little ways that annoyed me before, don’t bother me as much now. I can zip my lip instead of needing to have the last word -- so much more intentional than I was before. Now, I’ve reversed that “easily-bugged-mentality” to “In the light of eternity, does it really matter?” Maybe it’s because I’m becoming less attached to this side of heaven than ever before. The Apostle Paul said, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind (the PAST) and straining toward what is ahead. I PRESS ON toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me.” Phil 3:14

As I pondered 2018, these words came to me: multiply, enlarge, maximize, escalate, magnify, stretch, increase, press. All those words express my desire in knowing God more – experiencing His presence more – taking on His character more. I’ve been harping on “God with us” – Emmanuel -- in several of my posts lately. I think I’m getting it. I desire my love for Him to multiply, to enlarge, escalate and maximize. I want to magnify (make larger) His presence. I want my faith to stretch and increase. I want the PAST to be the PAST and, like St. Paul, I want to PRESS toward the goal for which God has called me.

Whether you are someone who thinks you have more years before you than behind you, or you are like me and you know you have more years behind you than before, maybe it’s time to consider “What if 2018 is my LAST YEAR, here?”

Before we declare this is the year we climb Mount Everest, ride an elephant on a safari or become gluten-free, let’s pause. Maybe our desires for this new year should trump all the rest – to be aware of God’s grace and presence with us than ever before. So, "Farewell, PAST!" Seeing the UNSEEN in 2018 -- in every facet of life -- just may bring us the best year and YEARS EVER!