Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.

Philippians 3:15-21

We stand on the brink of the past, present, and future – every second of our lives. Use each second wisely because we do not know what our future holds, or when.

As a resolution for the New Year, the artist Titian once wrote "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future." We need the wisdom of Our Lord to overcome the anxiety created by our past failures and the fear of repeating them in the future. It is an anxiety that keeps us from living to the fullest now. The apostle Paul was able to "forget" his part and anticipate his future. This does not mean his memory was erased; it means that Paul was free of any guilt or pride he may have felt from his past actions, because God had forgiven him. This attitude enabled him to live in the present and press forward in serving Jesus. He had a driving passion – to know Jesus better. That is what our driving passion should also be.

Rededicate ourselves to Christ. Jesus will enable us to live fully in the present as we gain wisdom from the past and face the future with courage. Never let a bleak past overshadow a bright future.

Our Daily Bread – December 31, 2004