“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14
Have you ever felt stuck in your past? Or maybe there are things you want to do, things you know you should do, but somehow, you are unable to go forward. Have you ever been unable to forgive, whether it be yourself or someone else, and it paralyzes you in some way? Or maybe you have a dream that you have left behind, forgotten. We have all heard the excuses.
I’m too old. I missed my chance. They won’t believe me. I can’t do anything right. I am not qualified. I won’t make it. They won’t listen. Good things don’t come my way.
Maybe you are guilty of this yourself. Maybe you love someone who keeps tripping over the past, and you just know God has more for them.
But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isa 43:18-19
Interestingly, many of us find ourselves wandering in the wilderness. We feel just like this…a dry wasteland. Washed up. Done. But what happens to a seed in dry soil when you water it? New life! God says He will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Oftentimes, we are simply the seed in dry soil that needs watered. We were never meant to sit dormant in the soil.
I am thankful Paul did not stumble over his past. He not only had to deal with the thoughts in his own head, but he was surrounded by doubters who could only look at the man they used to know. They were looking at him with their past vision.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Tim 1:16
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 2 Tim 4:16
Paul called himself the “worst of sinners.” He persecuted Christians. He was prideful. And when the Lord met him on the road that day, everything changed. He received mercy. He recognized God had patience in him. And even in his abandonment, even when faced with doubters, even when he himself was persecuted and thrown in jail and beaten, he went forward into an incredible 35-year ministry building churches, encouraging believers, and writing a large part of the New Testament. He never once looked back.
The remembering of the past should only be for the glory of God and for our spiritual benefit.
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
Jesus told us this is a daily deal. We take up our cross daily because each day brings new challenges, new circumstances. The word “new” here is kainos (Kai NOS’) new in quality, fresh in development – not found exactly like this before. It is superior to what it succeeds.
You cannot look back at what you did (or left undone) in the past through the eyes of who you are now. You have gained experience, wisdom and knowledge along the way. The decisions you made then cannot be seen properly through your eyes now. You would not have been capable of making the decision then as you see it now. Leave the thing in the past where it belongs. It has become a story, a season, a memory. But it is not a reflection of who you are now. Today is kainos – not found exactly like this before.
Sometimes we need to go through the valley before we can appreciate the mountaintop. Only when we have done this can we look down and enjoy the beauty of the valley. Consider that thing you did or that situation you went through might be the springboard for the very thing you are going to do now.
Let’s look at Peter. When things got scary, he denied knowing Christ, even after Jesus told him he would, and he looked at Him and said there was no way He could ever do that. He would die for Him! Later, Jesus meets him on the shore and tells Peter, “Feed my sheep.” I can only imagine the shame Peter felt as he looked upon Jesus, knowing that Jesus knew what he had done. Yet Jesus demonstrated pure love. Peter accepted the beautiful gift of grace. This unschooled man (he did not let that stop him either) spoke with boldness to crowds of thousands and brought them the Good News. He performed many miracles and God used him to reveal to the world that Christ died for all.
Elijah ran, Jonah hid, David feared, Thomas doubted, Peter denied, Paul persecuted. But they all chose not to stay in that place of stumbling. They put their hope in God and moved forward, sometimes doing it afraid, but still going forward.
Friends, let’s not miss it. He has good things for you.
Grace & Peace,
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11
I AM. BELOVED 