Moving On
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 for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians toward the end of his life. Based on what he'd been through, Paul could have easily given up. He had been severely beaten, pelted with stones, lost in the open sea, shipwrecked, persecuted by fellow Jews, thrown in prison and, in fact, wrote this letter while under house arrest. Yet, somehow, Paul pressed on. He found something worth giving his life to.
There are times when reflecting on the past can be very helpful. It's important to deal with our patterns of sin, to identify wounds we've suffered from the sins of others, and to learn from our mistakes. Yet, if we're not careful, we can spend so much time wrestling with the past that we fail to move forward. There's a difference between redeeming the past and living in the past.
We can walk more closely along God's path not only by reflecting on the past and seeking to live more fully in the present but also by focusing on the future. In today's Scripture, Paul provides for us a clear example of what it looks like to live the Christian life in a fallen world. He was not a prisoner of his past, but instead, he strained and pressed on to live the calling God had given him.
Application: Your life is a story, which means it has a past, a present and a future. Reflect on each of these aspects of your life today. Do you feel stuck? Have you been living in neutral? What do you need to leave behind? What have you been holding onto that's really been holding on to you? What motivations and desires has God placed in your heart? Talk with God about these things. Maybe it's time to move on.
Prayer: God, You created me and know me. I believe You have good plans for me, and so I ask You to align my heart with Your will and Your ways. Reveal to me things about my past that need to be dealt with. Help me live in this present moment so I can experience all You have for me. And stir within me the drive and motivation to press on in my relationship with You and the calling You have on my life. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?