Looking Backward
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:13-14
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get stuck in the past? Maybe you find yourself reminiscing about the “good old days” when your faith felt vibrant and new, when everything seemed to fall into place. While reflecting on past blessings can be encouraging, there’s a danger in spending too much time looking in the rear-view mirror.
Just like a dying church that focuses more on its history than its future, we as individual believers can fall into the trap of living in the past. We might dwell on past successes, clinging to memories of spiritual highs, or we might be held back by past mistakes and failures, unable to move forward. But the Christian journey is not about living in the past; it’s about pressing forward.
Paul’s words to the Philippians are a powerful reminder of this truth. He writes, “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul, who had every reason to boast about his past achievements and also many reasons to be haunted by his past mistakes, chose instead to focus on the future and his calling in Christ.
For us, this means embracing the journey ahead. It means acknowledging our past—both the victories and the regrets—but not letting it define our future. Are you holding onto past hurts, failures, or even past glories? It’s time to let go. Jesus calls us to live in the present, with our eyes fixed on the future He has for us.
Are you more focused on the past than the future? Are you letting your history hinder your progress in faith? It’s time to shift your perspective. Embrace the new things God is doing in your life. Trust in His plans and His timing.
Let’s be believers who press on, who look forward with hope and expectation, knowing that our best days are ahead of us. In Christ, we have a future filled with promise and purpose. Don’t let the past keep you from experiencing the fullness of what God has in store. Keep your eyes on Him and press on toward the goal of your upward call in Christ Jesus.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get stuck in the past? Maybe you find yourself reminiscing about the “good old days” when your faith felt vibrant and new, when everything seemed to fall into place. While reflecting on past blessings can be encouraging, there’s a danger in spending too much time looking in the rear-view mirror.
Just like a dying church that focuses more on its history than its future, we as individual believers can fall into the trap of living in the past. We might dwell on past successes, clinging to memories of spiritual highs, or we might be held back by past mistakes and failures, unable to move forward. But the Christian journey is not about living in the past; it’s about pressing forward.
Paul’s words to the Philippians are a powerful reminder of this truth. He writes, “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul, who had every reason to boast about his past achievements and also many reasons to be haunted by his past mistakes, chose instead to focus on the future and his calling in Christ.
For us, this means embracing the journey ahead. It means acknowledging our past—both the victories and the regrets—but not letting it define our future. Are you holding onto past hurts, failures, or even past glories? It’s time to let go. Jesus calls us to live in the present, with our eyes fixed on the future He has for us.
Are you more focused on the past than the future? Are you letting your history hinder your progress in faith? It’s time to shift your perspective. Embrace the new things God is doing in your life. Trust in His plans and His timing.
Let’s be believers who press on, who look forward with hope and expectation, knowing that our best days are ahead of us. In Christ, we have a future filled with promise and purpose. Don’t let the past keep you from experiencing the fullness of what God has in store. Keep your eyes on Him and press on toward the goal of your upward call in Christ Jesus.
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