The grace to move forward

Every January many people make resolutions, commit to join a gym, start a diet program, say they are going to read through the Bible this year or say I am going to finish that project or spend my time with the family or take that dream vacation or it might be just something you have wanted to do your whole life.  Now that it is nearly the end of January how are you doing?
The same thing seems to happen every year that sidetracks your great plans and commitments for this new year.  An unexpected bill, an illness or a family situation or I could add many other possibilities of why you have not been able to follow-through on your good intentions.  I know how you feel because I have been there many times.  There is grace to help you to move forward.  I am going to share five simple things that might be able to help you to move forward by using the word grace.
G is for God.  God is our source, strength and hope.  By putting God first, putting Jesus first you will be setting yourself up for success because Jesus promised to be with us to the end of the age.  Matthew 6:33 Jesus said "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness then all these things will be added to you."  See the context for what all things means.
R is for repentance.  The apostle John said in I John 1:9 "if I confess my sins He is faithful to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness."  This is taking responsibility for my actions and when necessary be quick to repent while at the same time quite blaming things or others why you cannot do what you said you wanted to do.
A is for again.  When you fall get up and try again.  When you messed up, admit it and start over.  No one is perfect so lets stop thinking that failure is the end of life.  The apostle Paul spoke these words in Philippians 3:13 "Brothers, 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."  Losing battles is part of life but I do not have to lose the war.
C is for consistency.  Being consistent only happens when we are willing to discipline ourselves or be willing to allow someone else in our lives who will help us to do what we say we want to do.  I Corinthians 9:25 "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."  Greater strength and endurance whether it is physical or spiritual comes when we are consistent in doing the right things.
E is for eternity.  When we focus on the past we tend to live in the past but when we focus on eternity we tend to keep life in the proper perspective.  Colossains 3:1-2 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not one earthly things."  In order to move forward my eyes need to focus on what is ahead which for a Christian is our eternal life with Jesus Christ.  When I do that this life just seems to make more sense.
May God bless you with grace to move forward.