Today is day 183 of 2017. Traditionally, in a non leap year, today is the halfway point of the year, 182 days done with 182 to go! It’s been a bit of a crazy year, certainly for us here in the UK. Politically, socially, emotionally, we’ve been stretched as a country like never before. Cast your eyes beyond our borders and the world seems just as unstable, just as unsafe. In terms of significant world events, 2016 felt hard to beat but 2017 is having a good attempt.

There’s been much to celebrate too. We’ve seen extraordinary acts of human kindness and bravery too. People have opened their homes and hearts like never before. Unspeakable tragedy has birthed unprecedented compassion. Moments like this one have warmed our hearts.

So it’s halfway through the year. What has 2017 meant to you so far? When midnight struck on New Year’s Eve 2016, what were your hopes and dreams? What glimmers of possibility sparkled before you? What did you resolve to leave behind?

Many new year’s resolutions die in January and February. The well-meant gym membership is cancelled. You’re back on your old diet. You haven’t finished or started the things you meant to.

We don’t celebrate July 2nd really (unless it’s your birthday) but today is worth marking. Whatever has passed this year has gone. There are 182 days before you; days that you can shape, days that you can choose, days that are filled with promise and purpose.

Brothers and sisters, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus…