“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
As I was seeking God’s direction concerning what to write for this week’s Five Minute Friday post, the above words of the apostle Paul came to mind. And along with them, the realization that this is God’s direction for our future.
- Leave Behind. The first thing God calls us to do as we look toward the future is to let go of the past. We usually think of this in terms of leaving behind our failures and regrets, and that’s a part of it. But in context of Philippians 3, Paul was referring to leaving behind the good things too – the things he had done that made him appear righteous according to the law.
- Press On. We are to press on with understanding of God’s purpose for our lives. As Paul said in Ephesians 2:10, we were “… created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We are to press on with the goal of fulfilling those good works.
- Keep Our Eyes on the Final Destination. Know we are on our way to heaven, and turn our eyes and heart in that direction. Keeping an eternal perspective is an important part of moving forward through the difficulties of our current lives. It helps us to keep our eyes on living to please God on every step for the journey.
So today, let go of what lies behind, whether good or bad, and press forward into the future God has for you. And all the while, keep your eyes on our end destination, our ultimate future when Christ returns for His Bride.
HOPE & LIGHT 
How kind and merciful of God to give us a roadmap — and even more so, to provide the fuel of grace to make this Christian journey possible. Thanks for this great message of our future hope! Have a glorious weekend! — Laura
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Very inspiring, hopeful post. I may have to print this one off as a daily reminder. 🙂 I’m your #FMF neighbor.
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Thanks for your comment, Pam. This was an easy one for me. After totally drawing a blank yesterday concerning what to write, I woke up this morning with these verses from Philippians on my heart and knew exactly what to write. To God be the glory!
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Thanks, Laura. God definitely is good, in both showing us His purposes for our lives and then enabling us by His grace and strength to walk them out.
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Another meaningful and timely piece, Pam. It helps for me to plant in my heart daily that my life has really “Only Just Begun”. I’m a pilgrim passing through trying in His strength to do His will and purposes. I do stumble and resist at times. This earthly life in this earthly temple is a small glimpse of our lives as they truly will be one fine day and forever. Our glorious hope keeps us moving forward! Julie
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Thanks, Julie. Knowing our purpose in life and beginning to walk it out makes such a major difference in our lives. And when times are hard, keeping an eternal perspective is especially important.
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Wisdom, Pam. Yes, my life has been extremely challenging and full of emotional and physical pain. I have basically lived my life backward. But God is greater still. So wonderful to have this much freedom and full freedom from damages one day.
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17 years of chronic pain living for me as well. I might stump the doctors but will never stump God. He knows all, sees all, and because of Him, I am still here living the life He has planned. I love that I have the ability to walk it with Him and see what I do so to share as He wants. Visiting from FMF.
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Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth. Living with chronic illness is a challenge at best, but I can’t imagine doing it without the grace and strength of the Lord.
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This is the second time in the last few days that verse from Philippians has come up for me with the comment that leaving the past behind is not just talking about the bad, but also the good. This is obviously something I need to pay attention to! Thanks for another great post!
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Thanks, Leslie. As I was reading the verses in context, the fact stood out to me that letting go of the good as welll as the bad was included in this instruction. Not sure yet what the personal application is for me, but i’m sure God will show both of us in His time.
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Such good advice. Important reminders!
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Thakns, Tara.
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