“No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”
— Philippians 3:13 (NLT)
Nobody’s perfect, and Paul admits that. But he’s not wasting any time on regrets and guilt over his past failures. He wisely concentrates all his attention and energy on making a total change in his priorities. He clings to what is truly valuable, both here on earth and for eternity.
You may have things you want to forget too. Maybe you totally blew your speech in reading class. Or you tripped in the bleachers and fell on top of a crush-worthy boy. Or maybe a memory that tortures you is more serious. Perhaps you let somebody down in a big way or have really hurt someone.
We all make mistakes and do things we aren’t proud of later. Even after we ask God’s forgiveness, the guilty feeling can linger. But you can’t change the past or control it in any way. Do keep the lessons you learned, but forget the incidents and the emotions attached to them.
Concentrate your energy and thoughts on what lies ahead. You’ll see improvement over past failures, but even more important, you’ll look forward to the truly priceless victory over death and an eternity with Christ.
More To Explore: Luke 9:62 and Acts 9:1 – 31
Girl Talk: Do you think about past mistakes and worry over them? Are you stuck in the past?
God Talk: “Lord, help me to quit fretting about things in the past. I want to look to the future. I give my concerns to you right now, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
From No Boys Allowed by Kristi Holl