Coal Canyon, AZ
...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. - Philippians 3:13-14
January, 2011. A new beginning, at least on the Roman calendar. For whatever reason, our society has decided that each time the Earth reaches a certain, arbitrarily-selected approximate location relative to the sun in the void of space, we stay up until midnight, make a bunch of noise, throw out the old calendars and declare that the "new year" has arrived! Sentimental and fond reflections of the year gone by and hopeful goals and plans for the year to come weave their way through thoughts and conversations. What will the "new year" hold? This has inspired some personal reflection on my part. Who or what defines the beginning of a "new year", particularly on an individual level. According to an old adage, a personal favorite of mine, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." This is true regardless of the Roman calendar date, regardless of confetti, staying up until midnight, or dropping a ball in Times Square. What am I saying? I guess I'm saying that every day is a good day to resolvedly "forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead". In fact, not only is every day a good day for this, but it's the attitude that should characterize every day in the life of the believer. I believe Paul in this passage is telling us that we ought to treat every day like a "new year". We ought to forget what is behind, more in the sense of learning from it and moving on rather than simply pushing it from memory. Only then are we free to strain uncompromisingly toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the eternal goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Speaking of the new year, I suppose a quick update from my last blog post is in order. As those of you who are on my newsletter mailing list are already aware, I'm engaged (see above pic)! Jodie and I are now in the process of planning and preparing as the wedding day (April 9th) draws closer. We're both excited at the prospect of a lifetime of serving as a team together, wherever the Lord leads. This past Christmas was spent with Jodie's family between Portland and Yakima, and then we both spent the following week in Arizona, where she finally met the rest of my family and got to see where I grew up. January has found us both back in the daily routine, Jodie working as a sign language interpreter in the Salem public school district, and myself as instructor at Spokane Turbine Center. Last week presented the opportunity for me to take a break from routine and enroll in a WFR (Wilderness First Responder) course. It was a great experience. I've wanted to take some basic, formal medical training at some point before heading overseas, as the airplane often doubles as the ambulance in many third world countries with poor or non-existent road systems. Our first class of the new year at Spokane Turbine Center begins a week from tomorrow (Jan. 27th).
I'm so excited about both the Roman new year and the new year starting tomorrow (and the next day, and the next...)! What a privilege to have the opportunity to live each day to the fullest, straining ahead for the glory of God.
