2020 Is Not About 2019

Everything about the new year seems to revolve around this question: What are you going to change this year?

Honestly, I’m tired of the lectures about not meeting my goals last year. And I’m tired of the lectures about meeting my goals in the upcoming year. Of course, I strongly encourage you to grow in Christ and always be intentional about deepening your faith. But sometimes, I struggle with being told how to live by fallible human beings.

What Lies Behind

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 ESV)

Maybe you haven’t noticed, but we as human beings tend to be really hard on ourselves. Not only do others criticize us, but we also criticize ourselves. Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?

• Oh, I’m such an idiot. Why did I do that?
• I’m so stupid. I need to grow up already.
• Why am I such a failure? I just seem to disappoint everyone.

But the wrong choices that we make—whether accidental or intentional—don’t define us. As Christians, all of our sins were covered by Christ’s blood that He shed on the cross. He showed us incredible love that we didn’t deserve.

And He doesn’t take away His grace once we become saved. He’s still loving toward us, even when we don’t deserve it. Thus, our past doesn’t define who we are because it has been fully paid for by Jesus.

What Lies Ahead

Of course, our sin doesn’t disappear once we embrace that truth. We still sin and won’t stop sinning until we go to Heaven. So what should be our goal for the future?

Our goal should be to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (v. 14). This goal is worthwhile, God-designed, and doable with His help. A very, very bright future lies ahead for those who love Christ.

Whatever you did (or didn’t) do in 2019, don’t let it stop you from doing (or not doing) something in 2020. Don’t set goals to prove something to yourself, others, or God. He already loves you. Set goals that cause you to press on. What lies behind is gone, but what lies ahead is worth everything.

Have a great 2020!