by Sandy Kirby Quandt

How much time do you spend contemplating the past year when you head into a new one? In Billy Graham’s Hope for Each Day devotional book, his December 31 entry talks about looking back to the previous year.

He asks several preliminary questions, then says regardless of our answers he suggests we pause and prayerfully ask our self the following additional questions.

First, how do we think God looks on this past year in our life? Did it bring us any closer to Him? Did it expose any weaknesses or find us wandering from His way? Was He disappointed in our responses to its challenges?

Second, what lessons will we take from this year into the next? What did God teach us? What did He try to teach us? What needs to change–and how will it happen?

Dr. Graham concluded his devotion by saying we should not be bound by the past and its failures, but we also should not forget its lessons.

Like Paul, we need to forget the past and press on in obedience to Christ. Amen?

If you are like me, these are not easy questions with simple answers. These are questions that require thought and honest reflection. Will you join me in taking the time to consider how these questions relate to our life?

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Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above. Philippians 3:13-14 (GNT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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