Reach forward
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Do you know people who are always looking to the past? Maybe they have some regrets or failures they just can’t seem to let go of. How about people who have been hurt and are unable or even unwilling to let go of bitterness and resentment. Maybe you know someone who always looks at the past and thinks “those were the good old days”, that their best days are behind them. If they could only go back.
In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul tells us to stop looking at the past and start reaching forward to the plans and call God has for us. He says, not that I have this all figured out, but there is one thing I know for sure and it is to forget the things behind or in the past and keep reaching forward to the things that are coming that God has prepared for us. It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you are just starting out in life learning to hear His call and following closely step by step, or if you are past your halfway point. God has plans for you and they are good plans. When Paul wrote this scripture, He was coming up on the end of his ministry here on earth. This passage was written in the last ten years of his life.
So, today I want to encourage you to put away the things that try to draw you to your past. Whether it’s bitterness, resentment, regrets, or seemingly your “glory” days, start looking forward! Believe that God has good things coming up for you. Even if you are in your later years of life, God is still working and has great plans for you. Your best days are still ahead of you, don’t miss them because you are looking in the wrong direction, keep pressing toward the goal. It’s never too late!
Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 3:12-16
