One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
A new day—actually, a new year—is coming. But, the question remains, are we ready to set sail?
As every new year comes our way, we are faced with many possibilities. We see how we are rising as a nation: Foreigners are beginning to invest and our economy is starting to grow. Our GDP has grown by 5.3 percent and our unemployment has decreased by 6.0 percent in the previous year. Now, we can see our businesses prosper as God blesses the work of our hands. We could see ourselves in a better position, having our own homes and cars– everything we need.
Still, moving across the journey of life, there is still a stumbling block that can make us trip–our past.
Looking back, as a web developer for more than eight years now, I have been accustomed to doing things a particular way. For example, back then, I would create two different versions of a website: one for desktop, and one for mobile. That was until HTML5 and CSS3 came, and responsive web design became the new thing. Today, we just build one website that adapts to whatever size the screen may be. You see, the web changes every day, and if you do not welcome change, you will be left behind.
If you would look at it, the same is true with life. If we really want to set sail, if we really want to reach our destination—the future that is in store for us—there are things that we would really have to leave behind.
Leaders must be willing to put back selfish, personal intentions and make most of taxpayer’s money for the further development of our country, which would in turn boost our economy. Instead of putting them in their pockets, they should foster the growth of interest in science and technology, build world-class infrastructure, and plan towards the establishment of a new society that surpasses countries around the world.
Yet it does not only apply to our leaders: We can make a difference in our own lives. We can make a decision to leave the past behind us and not to live in it. We should not be contented, in a way. Yes, we should say “thank you” for everything God has blessed us with. However, we should remember that God has a bigger and better future for us that is more than we can ask for or imagine. That’s why we should not say, “I’m poor right now, and forever will I be poor.” Change begins with changing our mindset.
This may prove to be difficult because what we are accustomed to is hard to break. However, reaching a new destination entails leaving the old one.
That’s life. Welcome change and the brighter new day ahead.
—CHECHU SISCAR
chechu@chechusiscar.com