Forgetting What is Behind

...One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and
straining toward what is ahead, I press toward
the goal to win the prize for which God has called
me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14

It is never wise to live in the past. There are, indeed,
some uses of our past which are helpful, which bring
blessing. We should remember past mercies, that we
may have confidence in new needs or trials in the
future. We should remember past comforts, that there
may be stars in our sky when night comes again.

But while there are these true uses of memory, we
should guard against living in the past. We should
draw out our life's inspirations not from memory, but
from hope; not from what is gone, but from what is yet
to come. Forgetting the things which are behind, we
should reach forward to those things which are before.

To live in the past is to, perhaps, lose hope for
the future. Jesus said He could "do nothing because of
their unbelief. " It is especially difficult when one faces
loss. We become grounded, turkeys instead of eagles.
Our eyes should be on the goal...to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward. Paul wrote
these words from prison while facing death.