Brethren, I do not
count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians
3:13-14 NKJ)
count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians
3:13-14 NKJ)
In 2008, Guideposts
writer, Evelyn Bence related how she finished the year by shredding paper that
had accumulated over the year. She decided that she couldn’t proceed with
planning for the new year until she had adequately dealt with the old one.
writer, Evelyn Bence related how she finished the year by shredding paper that
had accumulated over the year. She decided that she couldn’t proceed with
planning for the new year until she had adequately dealt with the old one.
As Bence picked up
each piece of paper, an associated memory flashed in her mind. Some memories
were good and others were not, but as she shredded each paper she also
“relinquished the experience” involved.
each piece of paper, an associated memory flashed in her mind. Some memories
were good and others were not, but as she shredded each paper she also
“relinquished the experience” involved.
As a US Marine in
South Viet Nam (1970), I experienced several traumatic events. Those memories
plagued me for 20 years before I asked for help. Despite good counseling, some
of those memories have persisted to the present — 43 years later.
South Viet Nam (1970), I experienced several traumatic events. Those memories
plagued me for 20 years before I asked for help. Despite good counseling, some
of those memories have persisted to the present — 43 years later.
It isn’t what I did
in an event that troubles me. Instead, it is how I internalized the event that
gnaws at my spirit. The resultant anger, grief, terror, sadness, feelings of
betrayal, cold indifference, and failure to act all afflict me. It’s those personal
beliefs I held at the time and my self-talk since then that have continued to
weigh me down. And I have learned that I can only put those issues to rest when
I adequately deal with them and let them go.
in an event that troubles me. Instead, it is how I internalized the event that
gnaws at my spirit. The resultant anger, grief, terror, sadness, feelings of
betrayal, cold indifference, and failure to act all afflict me. It’s those personal
beliefs I held at the time and my self-talk since then that have continued to
weigh me down. And I have learned that I can only put those issues to rest when
I adequately deal with them and let them go.
Paul gives me both
the principle and his personal example in one word . . . forget. Contained in
Paul’s thought are both what he believed about his past and his self-talk about
it. He believed that Jesus Christ forgave him, covering his past with the blood
sacrifice of Calvary. And when the adversary reminded him of his past, Paul
reminded the adversary of Calvary.
the principle and his personal example in one word . . . forget. Contained in
Paul’s thought are both what he believed about his past and his self-talk about
it. He believed that Jesus Christ forgave him, covering his past with the blood
sacrifice of Calvary. And when the adversary reminded him of his past, Paul
reminded the adversary of Calvary.
Christ had dealt
with “those things which are behind,” so Paul knew that
“forgetting” them enabled him to look “to those things which are
ahead.” Since Christ has dealt with my past on the Cross, I can simply
forget it and look to my future.
with “those things which are behind,” so Paul knew that
“forgetting” them enabled him to look “to those things which are
ahead.” Since Christ has dealt with my past on the Cross, I can simply
forget it and look to my future.
Dear Father, thank
you for Christ and Calvary. Enable me to focus my life in the present with a
view toward the future. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for Christ and Calvary. Enable me to focus my life in the present with a
view toward the future. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Today, look ahead
and press toward the goal,
and press toward the goal,