CUFI’s Word of The Week – New Year, Same God

CUFI’s Word of The Week – New Year, Same God

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 3:12-14

As we prepare to begin a new year, Paul’s words are a timely reminder to reach forward, not look back. Neither our past successes nor our past failures are to be dwelled upon as we run the race of the Christian life. Our primary focus must always be upon the call of God upon our lives, which is to know Him and be like Him by being conformed to the image of His Son.

Paul viewed his stacked spiritual resumé—as a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, learned in the law and well-studied in the Scriptures—as “rubbish” compared to gaining Christ. His purpose was not to increase in knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but to know Christ and be like Him. The same should be true for us. May we never open God’s Word seeking knowledge but, instead, may we seek to encounter the living God through its discerning pages (Hebrews 4:12).

Consider how you will prioritize the pursuit of God’s call on your life in this new year. How will you carve out time to spend with God and for God? How can you lay aside whatever distractions encumbered you and sins entangled you over the past year?