Recipe for a GREAT 2022

 

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. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (Philippians 3:12-15 ESV).

 

Within just a few hours we will see the day’s end and a beginning of a new year. I’m not sure what your traditions are for a New Year’s meal; however, we have always added black-eyed peas to whatever else we may be serving. Regardless of what you may be preparing, there is one recipe that you must try in this year ahead. The Apostle Paul encourages us to “press on” in our reading today (v. 14). There are so many ways we could interpret that one phrase that I thought I’d quote an anonymous “recipe” found on the Appleseeds site:

 

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

 

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

 

I hope the little quote did two things for you today. First, I hope you have glimpsed some of the wisdom within it. And, second, I hope you are further encouraged with the prospect of the great truth of the grace of God winning the greatest of victories for us through Jesus. We can press on. We can go forward. We can overcome all things in Him. Whatever 2021 may have been like for you, this year can certainly be different in your hope for the strength to go forward knowing it ends in the greatest of joys and victory. We who are believers, KNOW that to be true! Celebrate that truth today!