A look Ahead

"So from now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." II Cor 5:16-17

The New Year is here, and I am ready to dream for the future.

I am ready for a fresh start and to distance myself from the unpleasantries of the last year. How about you?

The new year knocks upon my heart, and I run to open the door.

"Come in, new beginnings, and make your welcome into my 2025!"

We made it here. During my journey of faith, I jumped over hurdles meant to knock me out of the race and fought battles that brought new glory to Jesus and growth to my life that allowed passage into the new year.

God created new beginnings for a reason. He was the originator of the fresh start.

His mercies are new every day.

 Psalms 37:23-24 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."

Keep moving forward with everything you have.

I sometimes linger on memories—moments when I failed and even times of comfort I wished would never end. Each new year brings new opportunities to seek God for His new purposes in our lives. When He is calling us into a new season, He does not want us to look back.

When Lot and his family fled Sodom after God's instruction, Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt because she looked back into her beloved city. Perhaps she remembered the good times she had shared with her family or feared the destruction of a city she knew as home. Whatever the cause, God had instructed her to leave—with her whole heart and devotion centered on God's purpose and anticipating what God had for her family in the future.

In Luke 17:32, Jesus warned His disciples, "Remember Lot's wife." Jesus was not advising the disciples to remember her beauty or to remember the way she made the family meal. Jesus used her as an example to caution His disciples about disobedience and distraction. Lot's wife was unable to follow the steps that God had appointed for her. She looked back and turned to salt.

“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Jesus called His disciples to stay focused on their purpose, their Ephesians 2:10 life.

Jesus reminded His disciples just as He is reminding each of us to keep focused on our purpose and calling, to keep going, and not to become distracted by this world.

I understand the hardship. When obedience becomes difficult or painful, we too often start looking back at when times were easier. God is calling us to keep walking beyond the pain to see His plan through. He wants us to stay in the fight until the breakthrough comes. Lot's wife could not separate herself from her life in Sodom. She could not let go of the former things and accept a new identity in Christ. She wanted to stay in Sodom. For those who endure, there is victory, transformation, growth, and a better life that God has prepared for us. Don't look back.

Be here and forget the former days. God cares more about your future than your past.

You may feel you have less to give in 2025—less money, less health, less motivation, or maybe just even less of yourself. However, God is saying to you, Daughter of the Most High King, right now, with what you have to give now to walk into 2025 just as you are. He is enough.

In our weakness, He is strong. God will supply. God will equip. God will heal and transform. Look straight ahead and accept the Gift of His presence for each day in 2025.