Philippians 3:13 (NASB) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
The last couple weeks, I have been faced with a life altering decision. A decision that could have significant ramifications for myself, my family, friends, co-workers and customers. It was a decision that I needed to measure out carefully and resolutely. I made my decision. I believed it was the correct decision, but most importantly, feel that it was the decision God was leading me.
Even with all of that said, it was a decision that was very difficult for me. The difficulty flowed from my heart. From a purely black and white, logical and through examination, the decision was perfectly clear. However, my heart was in conflict with my head. I was reflecting on the past. I was thinking mostly about what I had done, what I enjoyed, what I’d miss and what I would be giving up. I was so focused on what was on the rear view mirror, I couldn’t see the turn that would lead me to the beautiful landscape awaiting around the next bend.
Fortunately, through the support and counsel of those around me, my focus was able to be diverted to the promising road that lay ahead.
How often in life do we find ourselves staring at the rear view mirror? How often do we get stuck, focused on the memories, good and bad? How often to we get caught in the questions of, “why can’t it be like it was? What if this had only happened, instead of that? How’s come I never?” Or, our fixations on the glory days, “I remember when I could… I accomplished this, have you forgotten?” We get fixated on what was, and often times forget, that’s past, there’s new horizons that are racing up on us.
Such is true throughout or spiritual walk, good and bad. We tend to think about where we’ve been, who we were and what we’ve done, instead of where we’re going, who we’re becoming and what we will do.
Thinking back, remembering the good, the bad and in between is perfectly fine. In some cases it is necessary. Be careful not to fixate on the rear view mirror, though. You just might miss the “turn ahead” sign. Have a blessed weekend.
Philippians 3:14-16 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
