Paul understood that spiritual progress requires both release and reach—letting go of the past while pressing toward the future. Before his conversion, Paul had persecuted the church, consenting to Stephen's death and dragging believers to prison. He could have spent his life paralyzed by guilt, but instead he chose to forget what was behind and strain toward what lay ahead. This forgetting is not amnesia but a deliberate choice to stop living under the weight of yesterday. The past must be committed to God so we can run freely into the future He has planned.

This week we traced God's unchanging love from year's end to new beginning. His mercies are new every morning, and His love is not conditioned on our worthiness. Through Hosea we saw God's relentless pursuit of unfaithful people. Immaculée's story from Rwanda taught us that forgiveness releases the past so we can embrace God's new thing. We were challenged to pursue genuine spiritual growth through daily time with God, deeper prayer, intentional fellowship, and active service. We learned to count the cost and plan wisely, using every tool God provides while refusing to let technology steal time meant for worship. Now Paul calls us to press forward toward the prize.

As this first week closes, we stand ready to run the race ahead. True Christian resolution combines two movements: releasing and reaching. First, we release—forgiving those who wounded us and receiving God's forgiveness for our failures. We cannot move forward while chained to yesterday's hurts. Second, we reach—setting our hearts on knowing Christ more deeply this year. This means prioritizing Scripture over screens, choosing prayer over busyness, investing in relationships that sharpen our faith, and using our gifts for Kingdom purposes. The world chases wealth and comfort; we chase Christ. The world measures success by accumulation; we measure it by transformation. Let this be the year we truly abide in the Vine, bearing fruit that remains.

"Let the past be committed to the keeping of God. Forward is our watchword. There is a field of labor before us, and we must bravely take up the work of the new year." (Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, January 1, 1880)

Prayer: Faithful God, we release the past and reach toward the future You have prepared. Help us to forgive freely, to seek You daily, to grow in grace, and to serve with joy. May this year draw us closer to Christ and make us more like Him. In Jesus' name, Amen.