Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I”m not there yet, but….this one thing Paul says, he focuses on….

FORGETTING those things that are behind

Behind.

What’s behind?…memories, good, bad, indifferent.  Successes.  Failures.  Relationships. 

Personal history.  Hurts.  Losses.  Pain.  Happy moments. 

When we look behind, we plow a crooked furrow.  The disdain of a good farmer…crooked rows!

While we can and do look back with fondness to memories of good things~family events, accomplishments, God’s goodness to us in the past, His provision and blessings, it’s an easy thing to get stuck there, where we don’t belong, and then become a target for the devil to sow seeds of discontent and unrest.  We want to go back to the “good old days”.  (really, did we know then they were the “good old days”?)   

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

God wants us to have a fresh testimony of His work in us … every day, not just yesterday.  He wants us to look ahead to our Eternal home, our final goal, our destination.  Keeping that in view keeps us alive to the work He has for us here today….living a life that draws others to Him because we have His joy, because we are pressing forward, toward the finish line with Him in view. 

Today I want to press on with a joy and demeanor that make those with whomI have occasion to encounter to see Jesus in me.  I want to love and serve Him, invest in His purpose, and I want to use the gifts He has given to minister grace and reconciliation as I  fulfill obligations and do my work.  Serve Him.  Not self.  Not a boss, not children, not my spouse…but do my work as my appointed service to God.  Prayerfully, thankfully, intentionally.