Friday, January 1, 2016

Run the Race

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press onto ward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)


I remember growing up my mom saying to clean up because the New Year was about to begin. As an adult now I understand that was my mom’s way to encourage my sisters and I to clean up our room. I’m not sure it had anything to do with the New Year but she used it to her advantage. Perhaps it was just tradition, passed down from my grandma; “no dejes que el ano viejo te encuentri asi” (translation: Don’t let the old year find you in that state) the state of being unkempt. This was my mom’s approach to make sure the New Year started clean!

So many years later and it still echoes in my heart. What can I do different this year. The whole world is speaking on “new”. New beginnings; new workout, new diet, new, new, new.

Are there old habits that are keeping me distant from the Lord? What have I elevated above the Lord that has become an idol; anything that captivates me and I find myself saying, “Lord I’ll read later”, I’ll sit with you in a bit and then the day escapes me.

Every morning when God wakes us up is an opportunity to thrive, to excel and glorify God in all we do.

Whatever held me last year I must call on the Lord to help me overcome. I must remember that He is my prize and run toward that goal.

A familiar piece of Scripture in Philippians but like my mom I must encourage all who are reading; “quickly do let the new year find you in disarray”. Today is a new start and a new opportunity to paint the landscape in our lives a little different. A breath of fresh air bringing in a fragrance that yields life!

There is a race, there is a goal and there is a prize. The goal is to stay on the road. Did we divert? Quickly, get back on!! There are those that are cheering us toward the finish line. Can you hear the cheer!!! Liz, it’s a day---run the race!!


Happy New Year 2016
God Bless You!~Liz

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