Could'a, Would'a, Should'a

Well, now that Christmas is behind us and the new year is approaching......fast, what now? Oh, I suppose we could jump on the "gotta loose 15 lbs News Years resolution" band wagon. In fact, I will likely get back to the gym and tighten up the diet that has spun out of control in the name of holiday celebration. As I was praying last night, I was thinking about how to have a closer relationship with Jesus and how to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The phrase that kept coming to mind was "let it go". No, not the popular song from the Disney movie Frozen (in case you were wondering). Let what go? I could name at least a dozen things that I should let go from my life that have gotten in the way of my relationship with the Lord. Failures, disappointment, frustrations just to name a few. But what does the bible way about the past?

Isaiah 43:18

Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.

Most of us drive, right? Have you ever tried to maneuver the car while in reverse and looking through the rear view mirror; perhaps you were backing out of the drive way or into a parking spot? Of course you have. It's not too difficult. Would you want to drive down the freeway like that; at 70 miles an hour looking through the rear view mirror? If I were to ask my teenage son that question, he'd probably chuckle and be up for the challenge but for most of us, the answer is no. We wouldn't dream of driving that way. So, tell me something. Why do we live our lives that way? We are trying to move forward in life, get from point A to point B, all the while looking in our rear view mirror.

I should have done this. I should have done that. Someone once told me "we can could'a, would'a, should'a until we're blue in the face but it won't change the anything." We tend to go where we are looking. I'm sure you've heard the expression "keep you're eyes on the ball". Well, if you're eyes are on the balls you missed last year, how can you hit a home-run this year? Instead, you're more likely to get hit with a pitch and knocked to the ground. Not only can you miss the opportunities that have been afforded to you but you'll likely repeat the same mistakes and experience the same disappointments simply because you were 'looking' at the them.

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

2018 is right around the corner and we are going to see and read multiple stories, reports and TV specials that will review this past year, the tragedies we've faced, the public figures and celebrities we've lost, and the news stories that were in the headlines. I am in no way negating the importance of taking a quick glance back and remembering those who have suffered, those we have lost and celebrating our accomplishments. The past is something we should take a quick look at from time to time, learn from it, testify about it and help someone else who is facing the same struggle but we can't afford to live there. What matters most is NOW and what we do with it. Since God forgives us from our sins, shouldn't we forgive ourselves of our past failures (sin or not).

What does God have in store for you?

As for me, I'm still going to have intentions for the coming year. Yes, I'm going to get back to the gym and eat better with the hopes of taking off 20....alright, 30 pounds. But most importantly, I'll be looking forward with excitement and expectation for what God has in store for me, my family and my church rather than fear of failure. I could'a, would'a, should'a a lot of things but that doesn't matter. We've got a great big God and He is good. His plans for me........His plans for you are far greater than either of us could ever imagine.

Happy New Year!