Forgetting the Past

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 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 3:12-14

The past brings with it a lot of power. The past has the power to hold us captive, either paralyzing us with fear and anxiety, or puffing us with pride and boastfulness about our achievements. As a result the past may  hinder us from experiencing the gift that the present offers and the hope that the future promises. 

My prayer for each one of us this morning is that we would forget what lies behind and strain toward what is ahead which really is the goal to win the prize for which God has called us to attain in Christ Jesus.

How would you define your past? Is it filled with negative and painful memories? Is it characterized by memories of disappointment, betrayal, failure, anger, loss, among others? Is it filled with happy memories, memories of accomplishments and recognition? While it is easy to acknowledge that we should let go of a negative past, I am sure you have also met people who glory in their past successes and accomplishments and never seem to be doing anything in the present or have any plan for the future. They are stuck in the past, the successes idolized in their heads, and while they rant about what they accomplished in their yester years, beneath  that veneer lies disappointment and regret. And a sense of denial too that they have nothing to show for the present or unable to press on into the future! 

So what is this goal we are pressing on toward? To win the prize. And what is this prize? The eternal riches promised to us as God's children. And how do we keep pressing on? By living holy and righteous lives while  fulfilling God's purpose here on earth. God's purpose is unique to each one of us and once you understand the reason why Jesus took hold of you, turned you away from the path of death and placed you on the path of life, then you should embrace THIS and run the race set ahead of you. Is it an easy race? No. Ask any athlete. No workout or race is easy but the successful Paul Tergat or Tegla Lorupe have learned the lesson of endurance and hence their track records. 

So my brother, my sister, what is that constant nudge or whisper that God has been calling your attention to? Embrace it. Forget your broken past - you are not the only one - and run the race. Forget the successes of yester years and run the race. Do not dwell on the past because God is doing a new thing in you and around you on a daily basis. In forgetting the past you may need someone to walk with you, to encourage you, to counsel you, to pray with you, and as you invite God in the entire process He Who is faithful and compassionate will rise over you with healing in His wings. He is the Lord our Creator and He cares. He knows everything about your past and He is able to help you deal with the issues you need to deal with. 

Are you stuck in your past? Why don't you take time and whisper a prayer, a cry-out to Jesus, and ask Him to heal you and enable you to move forward. He is able to do much more than we could ever ask or think according to the power that is within us. Nothing is impossible with Him. Trust Him. And then you watch and see: He will begin to knit you with people who will enable you to experience healing, deliverance and restoration and before you know it, you will be living a life that you would never have imagined.

Let go of the past, and let God guide you through the present and prepare you for the future.  After all, has He not said that He knows the plans He has for you, and that they are plans for peace and not for evil; plans to give you a future and a hope?

Let go and press on to Him. Amen.