Philippians 3:13,14 (ESV) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Too often, we spend too much time looking back. We dwell on past hurts, disappointments, failures, mistakes. We carry a great deal of baggage that serves to weigh us down and stymie our progress. It is true, that our past experiences shape how we behave, and our perspective on the world around us. However, our past is not “who we are”.
We have a tendency to dwell on our past successes and accomplishments, as well. That is actually what Paul is analyzing for us here in Philippians. If we allow or desire what we accomplished in the past to define “who we are”, there is no room for growth and progress. We’ll settle. You’ll always be as good as yesterday.
As an archer and bowhunter, going forward from today, I could choose to do things exactly the same from here on out. It’s working for me now, why reach. I accomplished this, I filled this tag, climbed that mountain, back when. Or, I can remain open minded, willing to press forward, seek new methods, techniques and equipment. I can choose to expand the variety of game I pursue, the competitions I attend, the mountains I climb. In doing so, I will find that some of the things I know are right, some of the things I do work. I will also find new methods that work better, gain greater insight and become a more well rounded, experienced archer and bowhunter. I will improve, mature.
So it is when it comes to our spiritual maturation. If you are content with, “this works, I accomplished this in the past, this is who I am”, what possible hope for growth and greater intimate understanding of our Lord can one possibly hope for? Answer… NONE! Press on! Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
