So we are now into 2018 and I’m wondering at this point if it looks any different to anybody else than 2017 did? Some people close out the old year, the previous year, with renewed vows to meet resolutions. Some people make new resolutions. Some people don’t even bother. What’s interesting is this: No matter what you vow to do, vow to stop doing, or vow to continue to do, the new year does not bring with it any magical powers that make these resolves come to fruition. In other words, the power to do, to not do, to continue doing, is always present within us. Each day is a new opportunity to start again, to continue what we have always done or to start something new.

Why is it for some of us that it takes a “new year” for us to decide to make changes? Each week, each month, each day, and yes, even each minute is another opportunity to make changes.

Maybe the problem lies in our inability to let go. Maybe when we step into the next new year we see it as another 365 day opportunity to get right what we didn’t get right the previous 365 days. However, to move forward we have to let go of the past. I think sometimes we don’t change, we don’t do things different, we don’t move forward because we are anchored in some way to something that we just can’t let go of.

In Philippians 3:13-14, we are reminded of the following; “No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.”

This is an appropriate formula for advancing towards our goals in life. First, a recognition and understanding that we are not everything we could be. The first step is recognizing who we are, where we are and what we need to do different. Second, we need to focus our energy on forgetting the past and then shift our energy to focusing on the future. Focusing on where we should be and could be. Third, we need to keep our eyes on the big picture

My encouragement for us all in this New Year is that we may recognize what we need to do, let go of what is stopping us from doing it, and start focusing on the reward that comes with achieving our goals. Be it weight loss, a new job, a new relationship, a new home or becoming a new creation in Christ, don’t wait another year to start something new. Start today.

REV. BARRY VASSAR is pastor at Fitzgerald Memorial Baptist. He can be reached at fitzgeraldmemorial@gmail.com