Envision Your Future Ahead, Don’t Dwell on the Past

Life is full of mistakes, wrong choices, sketchy decisions and things we just simply wished we had done better.  I have traveled life’s pathway long enough to have sampled a few of each of these. Perfection is hard to attain. I was having a conversation with someone recently about things that happened in the past that still seem to have the ability to affect negatively in the now, which could eventually affect the future—which really messes with perfection. What I told them that I try to do each night is go to bed and put the day behind me, sleep it off and wake the next morning with the resolve to look toward the future, not the past and give it my all. 

No, that is not always easy to do, because, yes, some days are just more difficult than others.  I think it is an activity that gets better with practice. Focus on the day and do what you can to make each day the best it can be. 

Paul discusses this in his letter to the Philippians. In Philippians  3:12-16, he told them that he had not attained perfection.  Sometimes when we have a strong spiritual leader, we tend to impart a certain level of perfection on them. Paul denied perfection. What he did claim was that he worked hard at and tried hard to grasp the perfection that Christ Jesus expected of him. He did not seem to look back at his mistakes, but owned them and used lessons learned to move forward. He looked at how he could affect the Kingdom of God where he was, in the moment.  Even though not perfect, he made an effort to put his energies into and aim at the future reward that God provided him through his belief and faith in Christ Jesus.  

Let’s admit it, perfection is not very likely. That does not mean that we should stop striving for perfection though.  Paul encouraged as many as possible to continue trying to be perfect, and to come to an agreed consensus on the things of God. He stressed that God will let you know when you are not moving together as one—when things are out of sync.  When they do get a bit sideways, as brothers and sisters that have traveled together,  we  need to hang in there together and continue working toward the same goal, the future ahead of us that God has promised. 

I like how J Vernon McGhee states it from the BLB Study Bible, J Vernon McGhee’s Study Notes on Philippians:

“This expresses the modus operandi of the life of Paul. The past — he is leaving it behind, with all its mistakes, not letting it be a handicap for the present.

The future — he lives in the present in anticipation of the future when he will grow and develop. This is his practical sanctification.” 

I feel like Paul was saying in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to think that I feel I have reached the place where I want to be. But I do try to forget the things that have not worked and the mistakes I have made so I can move past them; because I am trying hard to keep moving in the direction I need to go. I am deliberately going in a specific direction because I know there are amazing rewards from God awaiting me because of my faith in Christ Jesus.” 

The challenge here within this passage is to always remember that we have not made it yet. No matter how much spiritual growth we experience there is more to come. There may be those who are more spiritually mature, but none more superior. We can apply this to our lives by remembering that the things behind us should not be allowed to control how we reach for the future. Learn from the past, use that knowledge,  leave the past behind and move forward.  We should always keep in view what God has in store for us and keep moving closer and closer to Christ Jesus.

What does this mean to my faith? Knowing that Paul had to work on his spiritual walk just as I do helps me know that this is how it works.  Paul had his struggles just as I do. He kept his eyes on Christ and kept looking to the future, not the past.  As long as I keep my eyes on Christ and the future He has for me, I can make it through to the place God has prepared for me. 

Lord, thank you for giving me examples within scripture that help strengthen my faith. Please help me to remember that even my mistakes can be used for Your glory, as long as I am willing to move past them. I desire to look toward the things you have for me as I walk toward my heavenly home. 

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“12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”  Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV) 

“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”  1 Thessalonians 2:12 (KJV)

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;.”  1 Peter 1:13 (KJV)

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What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe, the one who can make sure your future is set in eternity?  Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net

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Blog Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay