Philippians 3:13-14 - "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."
In life, there’s a natural tendency to look back. We often find ourselves reflecting on the past, on the "good old days," or even the mistakes we've made. But as believers, it's important to understand that while looking back can offer valuable lessons, it should never prevent us from moving forward into the future that God has planned for us.
Today, I want to continue the conversation we started a few weeks ago about the importance of looking back—but with a purpose. This is Part 3 of our series, and in this installment, we will focus on how God calls us to embrace the future with faith and determination, letting go of what lies behind.
The Purpose of Reflection
Looking back is not inherently bad. In fact, it can be a powerful tool for growth. The Bible often speaks of remembering God’s faithfulness. In the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites were reminded to remember the Lord their God, who led them out of Egypt and provided for them in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2-4). These moments of reflection are crucial in our walk with God, as they help us acknowledge His hand in our lives.
However, there is a fine line between reflection and stagnation. The danger comes when we become so engrossed in our past—whether it’s the pain, the mistakes, or even the successes—that we fail to move forward. This is where we need to be careful.
The Call to Press On
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul gives us a clear direction: forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. This doesn't mean we should completely ignore our past, but rather, we should not let it hold us back. There is a prize that God has for each of us, but we can only reach it by pressing forward.
Too often, we allow our past to define us. We carry the weight of our mistakes, the hurt from our failures, or even the comfort of our successes, and this weight can prevent us from stepping into the new things that God has for us. But Paul’s message is clear—our focus should be on the goal that lies ahead, not on what is behind.
Learning from Lot’s Wife
In Genesis 19, we read the story of Lot and his family as they were fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah. God had given them a clear instruction: "Do not look back!" Yet, Lot's wife disobeyed and looked back at the city, and she was turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). This story serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of holding on to the past.
When we look back, longing for what was, we risk losing what could be. Lot’s wife looked back because her heart was still tied to Sodom, even though God was leading her to a new place. Similarly, we must ensure that our hearts are aligned with where God is leading us, rather than where we have been.
The Danger of Living in the Past
Another biblical example of the dangers of looking back can be found in the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. Despite witnessing God’s miracles firsthand—the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven, water from a rock—many of them longed to return to Egypt, where they had been slaves (Exodus 16:3). Their longing for the past blinded them to the freedom and future that God had prepared for them.
We, too, can fall into this trap. Whether it’s a past relationship, a previous job, or a former season of life, the familiarity of the past can be enticing, even if it wasn’t good for us. But God calls us to trust Him with our future, knowing that His plans are always for our good (Jeremiah 29:11).
Embracing the Future with Faith
So, how do we move forward? The first step is to release the past. This doesn't mean we forget it entirely, but rather, we surrender it to God. We trust that He can use even our mistakes and failures for His glory (Romans 8:28). We acknowledge the lessons we’ve learned and thank God for His faithfulness, but then we turn our focus to what lies ahead.
The next step is to embrace the future with faith. God is always doing a new thing in our lives (Isaiah 43:19), but we must be willing to see it and step into it. This requires faith—faith that God’s plans are better than ours, faith that He will provide, and faith that He will guide us every step of the way.
Conclusion
As we conclude this series on “Looking Back,” let us commit to moving forward with God. Let us be people who learn from our past but are not defined by it. Let us press on toward the goal that God has for us, trusting that He will lead us into the future He has prepared.
Remember, looking back should only be a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. Our future is bright because our God is faithful, and He is calling us forward. So let’s take that step of faith today, leaving the past behind and embracing the new things that God is doing in our lives.
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