RUNNING TO WIN
“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.” Philippians 3:13-14 NKJ.
My thoughts today are about, “PRESSING FORWARD.”
Your best life is found by pressing forward. Yesterday is done and gone. Tomorrow is just beyond your grasp. Purpose to live well and love with your whole heart today. “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NLT. Looking backward while moving forward portends an accident. You did not fully control yesterday. You cannot change it now.
But yesterday has value. Your history is the record of the times, events, experiences, and friendships that have formed who you have become. Family connections, faith foundations, mistakes made, successes achieved, experience gained, lessons learned, friendships built, memories stored, and traditions launched are all invaluable for your life still ahead for you.
Not everything about yesterday merits being part of tomorrow. Mixed with the good, you will struggle with mistakes made, hurts felt, friendships lost, or things you regret having said or done. Those complicate your excitement and confidence while pressing forward. And pressing forward you must.
Our Father never intended that every part of yesterday should be dragged along for a lifetime. He offers forgiveness and redemption for that. In God’s grace, there is always a new day awaiting you. Paul was dismissive of his past. He chose to focus on his destiny instead of his history. What is your focus?
“I leave the past behind and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal – my reward, the honor of being called by God in Christ.” Philippians 3:13-14 JBPhillips. With anticipation, Paul wrote, ““No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” Our loving God wants you to understand the full extent of His mercy and grace.
If a memory heals and helps you, hold on to it. If it hurts, haunts, or hinders you, set it aside. God forgives and forgets what He forgave. “I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:23 NKJ.
The Bible is practical, “Lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles, and run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NAS. But how? Bring it all to Jesus. If it hurts, let Him heal it. If it is your failure, let Him redeem it. If it is someone else’s problem, let God handle it.
“Surely, He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:4-5 NKJ. People seem tenacious about hanging on to stuff that hurts themselves or others. Why? Dump it!
The Apostle Paul shared God’s truth for a joyous life. Do not be double minded. 13 “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 KJV. Your past neither prevents nor predicts your future. God secures your destiny.
The right kind of forgetfulness provides a cleaner future for fruitfulness. Be free to step into your individual destiny, alive and well. Just now as I read this verse , I wept with joy and gratefulness. ““I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25 NIV.
My prayer for you today is to press forward and walk confidently in faith.
EDL Communications 2020
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