Standing in the in-between space after Christmas and on the edge of a new year, this message invites the church to reflect on the past while courageously stepping into what God is doing next. Drawing from Isaiah’s promise that God is always doing a new thing and Paul’s resolve to press forward despite hardship, we’re reminded that clinging too tightly to yesterday, whether past failures or past successes, can keep us from recognizing God’s work in the present. Through Paul’s story of transformation and perseverance, we see that spiritual growth requires intentional effort, focused pursuit, and a willingness to let go of what once defined us.

As individuals and as a church, we are called to pursue Christ above comfort, trust God with the unknown, and take the next faithful step forward, confident that the God who has been faithful before is still leading us into the future.