I finally made it out to see the Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life in all its black-and-white goodness at the theater downtown before leaving town. Although I’ve seen the movie countless times over the years, it struck me that after George Bailey had recouped more than the $8,000 that his uncle had lost—which would be approximately $130,000 in today’s dollars, hence his panic—and realized that he wasn’t headed to prison, that everyone stood around celebrating, toasting George and singing Auld Lang Syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Auld Lang Syne
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And the days of auld lang syne?
One phrase from the song caught my attention: “and never brought to mind.” It reminded me of another particular phrase that I’m occasionally reminded of every once in a while:
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,”
Philippians 3:12–13
As we forge ahead into a new year, a bevy of possibilities await us. Your Health, relationships, finances, opportunities—a new year seems to provide room for what could be as we leave behind the old to embrace the new because we feel that there’s room for better, for increase, for seeing the abundance that comes with answered prayers.
Hope, excitement, expectation seem to overflow. Like children playing a made-up game in the yard, it’s like someone’s called a “do over” But this is not a game and we’re not children. Life is very real and what we do matters. Even though we have the chance to start off another year, we can ensure that we’re setting ourselves up for a better year as we hold fast to follow the Word and not allow any negativity of the past to spoil our fresh slate.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,”
Philippians 3:13
For someone who has a great memory, forgetting anything—especially things that have been hurtful—often feels impossible. But I’ve learned firsthand that because we’re in covenant with the God who does the impossible, we can rest assured that we can move forward in His power, strength, and grace. Always remember that we “can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.”
Although the forgetting may feel hard or even impossible, it’s the prescription to advancing without allowing any weight from the past to restrain us from seeing His goodness this year and beyond.
There are five practical aspects that have helped me put this verse into practice and commit to seeing it through. And my hope is that they help you as you embrace the goodness of 2024 without letting the mistakes, mishaps, oversights, and low points of last year try to make residence in your present. Because our God is the One who makes all things new. He literally gave His Son so we can be in relationship with Him without feeling unworthy or dirty. He made a way for us to be clean through Jesus when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
And if you haven’t accepted the Way out of anger, sin, the past and into grace and peace, all you have to do is pray, believing that what you say is true. It sounds simple, but it’s true. When you believe that God loved you enough to give His Son so that you wouldn’t go to Hell and that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross exchanged your sin for His righteousness than all you have to do is confess that and invite Jesus to be Lord of your life instead of trying to live your life without Him.
Simply say, “God please forgive me of my sin. Jesus would you come into my life and make me new? I believe You are the Son of God and that you died for my sins. I want you to be Lord and Savior of my life. Come equip me to live the impactful life you have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Speaking of prayer, that’s the first of the five daily spiritual habits I’d recommend for the New Year, so without further ado.
Prayer
Prayer is having a conversation with God. Now, there are different types of prayer, but for the sake of this entry, I will focus on what is more akin to the foundational aspect of a relationship with God, which is talking to Him. It’s easy to know someone’s voice when you talk to them often. You don’t even need to turn around to know who’s speaking when it’s someone you speak to every day. You’re familiar with their tone of voice, how they speak, their vocabulary, and cadence because you know them through conversation. And the same is true for God. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God became our Father. And like any good father, He wants to be involved in our lives. He wants us to talk to Him, to be in relationship with Him. To God, we’re not bad kids that need to be punished. We’re His children that He cares for, protects, corrects, and guides.
The Word
Reading the Bible is the main way we get to know who God is, how He thinks, and what He does. His character and instructions have been recorded for us so that we would have a clear path to Him without being hindered by fear, anxiety, or worry. Within the Bible, Scripture is referred to as water to cleanse us, a hammer that destroys, a sword that divides, sweet honey, and Jesus Himself. When we read the Word daily, we are receiving instruction for our day, being corrected about things in our life that we may need to add or even remove. We are taking time with our Creator and becoming more like Him in our thoughts, outlook, and actions.
Church
Attending church is not something that can be done daily if your church doesn’t have daily activities. However, attending a good church connecting with other members of the body to serve, encourage, discuss the recent teaching, or even enjoy an activity or meal can assist you in moving forward. In other members of the body we have an opportunity to see God’s grace at work, refining us and calling us higher as we see Him in others. We’re able to use our talents and gifts to contribute to something beyond ourselves as we enlarge God’s family. As we invest, we even learn new skills, hone the ones we have and find purpose and clarify our calling.
Meditation (Of course!)
Now off course I’m going to list meditation as a daily habit that moves us into the New Year without feeling tethered to the pain of the past and it’s for one simple reason—it works. It’s one thing to read the Word—which will always be vital while we live on this earth—but when we meditate upon the Word, allowing it sink deep into our hearts, we are being transformed and changed to look, respond, and act more like Christ in every situation. It becomes easier to leave behind past things because of the reality of who Christ is and what He has done for us.
Forgiveness
This can feel like the most challenging aspect to do daily, but I’ve listed it because unforgiveness can often be a hindrance to the good things God has for us. I’ve heard that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the person who wronged you to die. I see it as a vehicle the enemy uses to drive into our New Year, carrying anger, strife, fear, and hatred along for the ride. Unfortunately, unforgiveness is often seen as acceptable. But that’s not how God views this topic.
“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:15
That one verse is why I listed this aspect as the last habit I’d recommend for your launch into 2024. As someone who has literally struggled to forgive at times and has only done it out of obedience, I can unequivocally say that it is possible to forgive through the power of the Spirit. On my own, I could not (and would not) even venture to forgive the most hurtful of things that have been done by those I’ve loved and helped the most. But through Christ it has become possible. I can’t say it felt good. I can’t even say it was cathartic in any way, but I did it. And to be extremely honest, I often need help just to want to be willing to move in forgiveness, but it’s an aspect that is vital to being present in reality and preventing the past from creeping into my mind and ruining my opportunities. And because God is Judge of all the earth, He is well equipped to handle the wrongs done to you—and even the wrongs committed by you—in a way that is just and right.
Habits can take time to adopt. But January is an ideal time to drop the weight from the past and commit to moving into all He has arranged for us to enjoy. There are people you’re meant to reach and lives you were made to impact this year. You are carrying the solution for others, but it’s easier to do that when the past doesn’t have the ability to sabotage our opportunities.
As we embrace all that the New Year holds, remember that God is in it with you and drawing closer to Him will always be best move we can make to set us up for a successful 2024 and a great life.