Forget the Past, Focus on the Future

In review of Philippians 3:13-14 it says, "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

Bottom Line:

I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I do, I forget the past, and run toward the goal to receive the prize God offers, what Christ Jesus has done for us.

What this means to me:

I am still not all I should be, but I will focus on this one thing; forget what is behind and do my best to reach what is ahead. I will press on toward the goal, the prize that God offers. I do this because of what Christ has done for me.

My past is past. I am not my past. While my past might have influenced me, it does not define me. What matters today is not my past. Regardless of what I’ve done, who I did it with, or even how long I did it. What matter’s the most is what direction I’m heading today.

To grow, my focus should be on the future. This is a focus on what I want, not what I didn’t want to happen. Focus on my goals, not my habits.

This is what Paul talked about in Philippians 3:12: “I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his” (NCV).

However he adds just afterwards, “I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.”

This means that I should focus not on the past but what I want to happen. If I try to drive while only looking in the rear view mirror, I’m going to crash. So stop, It’s over. In order to finish the race well, I’ll need to continue to commit to my daily time with God so that I can fill my mind with God’s Word and focus on his goal for my life, not my past.

Today, I will spend some time thinking and praying about the goals I have and the direction God is leading me.