RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

Disappointments. Failures. Broken relationships. That’s the way many people will enter the coming year. But we don’t have to. We can begin next year with a renewed heart and fresh vision. That’s one reason I’ve emphasized the need for a spiritual awakening. Revival means “new life.” It’s a fresh beginning.
Early in my Christian life, my heart was aflame for Christ. I told my friends, colleagues, family, and anyone who would listen what Jesus had done for me. I loved the Savior and wanted others to know Him. But after two years, I began to drift. I didn’t turn my back on God. But I did make small compromises. And those little concessions would become big deficiencies in my walk with God. It wouldn’t take long before I’d be totally defeated. I would do things I knew were wrong. But most importantly, I lost my passion for Christ.
I began to think I could never be used of God again. I felt defeated — hopeless. Then one day, I knelt before God in brokenness and repented. God’s peace began to fill my heart. The question still plagued my heart: Would God forgive and restore me? I felt like such a failure, I was afraid to do what God had called me to do. But as I learned of God’s grace and forgiveness, I realized that repentance and forgiveness always go hand in hand. And where there’s genuine repentance, there’s always great grace. By faith, I began to serve the Lord.
I knew I was completely unworthy. I didn’t deserve to be able to serve Him. But that was the attitude God was seeking. He wanted to use me. But the position God desires in our hearts is that of brokenness. He can use the life of one whose heart is broken and contrite.
I found hope in that great truth. I didn’t have to live with my eyes in the rearview mirror. That’s a dangerous way to live. When we’re continually looking backward, we’re likely to wreck our lives. If we try to live in the past, we risk calamity in the future.
When we look forward, that doesn’t guarantee we’ll never crash. But it reduces the likelihood of a fatal collision. I must live with my eyes fixed straight ahead — with my focus on Jesus. He’s the hope for my future and the grace for my past. Revival is simply a fresh glimpse of the Savior. He will never fail you. He’s the Great Shepherd. He’ll lead you through the dangerous paths of life. He will bring you safely to pastures so green.
Don’t begin this year looking back. Look ahead. Place your focus on Jesus and what He wants to do. Begin this new year with a spirit of revival.