Wednesday, December 29, 2010

“Your past is important, but as important as it is, it is not nearly as important to your present as the way you see your future.”

Dr. Tony Campolo

I’ve Been Thinking. . . about the anticipation, excitement and mystery of moving into the unknown future.

If I read any comic strips, there are three that will get my quick attention. One is BC. I love the one with a cave man standing in front of a rock labeled “Exchanges.” He complained to the person in charge of exchanges, “My calendar watch won’t budge.”

The other man replied, “I don’t wonder. I’m not too choked up about moving into the next year myself.”

The end of one year and the dawning of a new year can be a daunting thought for some people. For others, it provides an excellent opportunity to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start. Last year has no life. Next year is filled with life infused possibilities.

Remember the television series, The West Wing? Fictional president Josiah Bartlet regularly ended staff meetings with two words – “What’s next?”

This was his way of signaling that he was finished with the issue at hand and ready to move on to other concerns. The demands and pressures of the White House required that he not focus on what was in the rearview mirror -- he needed to concentrate on the “what next” priorities.

What’s next? The kind of future we see next week, next month or next year will shape how we live today. Sometimes the struggle to move into the future is because people are paralyzed by the past. The more time you spend looking backward, the less capable you will be of seeing ahead. It’s not possible to think clearly about the future (which is where you are going to live) if you’re obsessed with the past. As Ivern Ball advised, “The past should be a springboard, not a hammock.” Look at the past as just basic training for your future.

Choose to be forward-focused, not past-obsessed. No matter what your past has been, you have a spotless future. No matter what last year produced, the New Year is awaiting your arrival. What you invest into the next 365 days will determine, in large part, what those days give back to you. It is valuable to learn from past experiences, focus on the present and prepare yourself to move confidently into the future.

Here are a couple thoughts to ponder for the New Year. . .

1. You cannot erase the past but you can write the future.
2. The more you carry the past around, the less likely it is the present will improve.
3. If you truly ‘live’ in the present, you’ll build a road to the future.
4. You either create the future you want or endure the future you are given.

The well known preacher Henry Ward Beecher said: “We have passed through one more year. One more long stage in the journey of life, with its ascents and descents and dust and mud and rocks and thorns and burdens that wear the shoulders, is done. The old year is dead. Roll it away. Let it go. God, in His providence, has brought us out of it. It is gone; . . . its evil is gone; its good remains. The evil has perished, and the good survives.”

So. . . what’s next?

If there is faith in the future, there is power in the present.”

John Maxwell

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Magic of Christmas

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”

Norman Vincent Peale

I’ve Been Thinking . . . about that magic wand Dr. Peale referred to.

A notice came in the mail the other day that I had a registered letter to be picked up at the post office. I arrived at the post office shortly after it opened, hoping to beat the Holiday rush. No such luck!

In line ahead of me was a woman with a sack full of Christmas Cards to be mailed. “I’d like 100 stamps,” she said to the clerk.

“What denomination would you like?” the postal employee asked in a friendly tone.

“Oh, good heavens! I can’t believe it has come to this,” the lady responded. “Well, give me 50 Catholic and 50 Lutheran ones.”

Apparently the magic wand hadn’t yet touched this lady. In fact, she was clueless. She’s probably not the only one.

We each hear different things during the Christmas season depending on our perspective, what we expect and our past experiences. The magic at Christmas isn’t necessarily present for everyone even though the gift of Christmas is available to everyone.

A little boy was reading his new book of Bible stories when his mother asked him what he was doing. The young lad quickly responded, “I’m watching Jesus being born!” That’s the magic of Christmas.

The world can be softer and more beautiful when we understand and embrace the power that came with this lowly birth. And there’s only one Baby Jesus.

Seven year old Nancy loved Christmas. She was reflecting on the lights, Christmas tree, the church program, and of course, the candy and gifts. With the spirit and innocence of a seven year old, Nancy exclaimed to her sister; “I sure hope Joseph and Mary have another baby.”

Not going to happen. We get one Jesus and he is enough for the world. But, don’t be fooled by that silent lowly birth. His presence and significance continue to be felt throughout the world.

Whatever your situation. Whatever your perspective. Whatever your take on Christmas. Whatever misgivings, hesitations, doubts or questions you have . . . I pray the magic wand of Christmas will touch your heart and life this year.

And she will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21