“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” Phil 3:13-14
Paul the Apostle had one of the greatest new beginnings on the road to Damascus when Jesus transformed and restored his life. In this verse, he reveals some truths about his ‘fresh start’ and progress in life. Let’s break it down and take a look at three action steps that you can take for a refresh in your life:
I. CHOOSE HUMILITY IN THE PRESENT
Paul, the greatest missionary to ever live, acknowledged his shortcomings and admitted in Philippians that he hadn’t reached his goals yet. Acknowledging your shortcomings is the first step to having a fresh start. It unlocks the freedom to not have to pretend that you have achieved perfection. We would encourage you to S.W.O.T. your life- a process where you evaluate how you are doing and where you are at:
S– Strengths. What are you doing well at?
W– Weaknesses. What do you need to improve?
O– Opportunities. What you can you do better next time?
T– Threats. What is in your life that you need freedom from?
More importantly, give yourself space to solve your shortcomings. Change is a direction not a destination.
II. LEAN INTO THE FUTURE
Paul made a conscious choice to push into the future. You can’t move forward into what God has for you when you’re straddling between the past and your future. It is easy to “romanticise” our past and grow familiar with it, but constantly looking into the past will yield no fruit in our lives. God has so much more for you!
Today, God is giving you permission to “clean house”. Call that person and forgive them. Let go of toxic and static relationships in your life. Ask God to wash and cleanse you.
III. GET A GOD-SIZED GOAL
Ask yourself this question: Have you identified goals in your life that are worth your life? God calls us to great things- things so big our minds can’t comprehend it. Have a goal that extends beyond yourself and leaves an eternal impact.
There is more beyond where you are and your past. Don’t quit, change is not perfection, but a process. God will give you the victory!