Always Look Ahead

Philippians 3:12-14   I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  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.

One of my friends was recently told that she needed to stop allowing her focus on a situation that she did not initiate to control her life ... her emotions. Instead, she needed to focus on her future.

In today's verses, Paul is giving us the same advice.  He is encouraging us to CHOOSE to press on to ALL that God has planned for us.  Since Paul understood (firsthand) that we all have the tendency to both long for the things that we once had OR regret the mistakes that we once made, he honestly admits that he had not YET achieved perfection.

However, rather than allowing his focus on the past to control his future, Paul made the decision to run his race of life strengthened by his belief in the awesome things that God had in store for him. His motivation was derived from his confidence in knowing that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

My challenge to you is to hold on to God's promise that He has good plans for your life ... plans to prosper you ... plans to give you hope and a future.  Avoid allowing your past to hinder your ability to achieve all that God has for You. 

Dear Lord,  Help me to always hold on to your promises that I can do all things through You ... that You have an awesome future planned just for me. 

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection:  Are you focusing on what is going on in the rear-view mirror of your life OR are you keeping your eyes on what lies ahead?