Focusing on the Future - Lesson 13 - Conclusion

Philippians 3:13-14, “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 press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”


Even though our desires and ambitions remain at a high level,
accomplishment seems to be limited by our abilities.
It is so easy to become discouraged,
to look back at past accomplishments and complain.



The Lord is not really as interested in the results we achieve as He is in the effort we make.
We need to have the same spirit of putting the past behind us
and pressing on to take advantage of whatever opportunities
the Lord sets before us…

We can still "press on" in whatever way the Lord may challenge us—
not in our own strength,
but in that which God provides.
As Paul says later in that same epistle,
"I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me." (Phil. 4:13).



For most of us, the past holds many good memories.
We remember the good times:
times when we were happy and enjoying life;
times when we were with someone special.

We remember the special events: birthdays, graduations, weddings and anniversaries.
Good memories are a wonderful thing.
It’s great to be able to tune them in and play them back.
It brings a smile to our face.
We can certainly thank God for the good memories.



The past can also give us perspective.
The past can teach us many things about living in the present.
The past is like the rear view mirror on our car.
As we move forward we regularly glance at it
to keep us aware of what is behind us.
The past makes us more knowledgeable and wiser.
And in that regard, the past is good.



But the past also has a dark side.
The past can be a prison.
It’s possible for the past to put us in bondage.


Along with the good memories, there are the memories of times of failure.
Sometimes our memory can serve to haunt us.
Our failures can cause us to see ourselves as failures,
or as unable to break the patterns of failure in our lives.



We stereotype ourselves, and in that way put ourselves in bondage.
Many people live today plagued by their past.
In the most extreme cases people sit in mental hospitals
constantly reliving the tragic events of yesterday.
They are trapped by the things that have been,
and can’t seem to see beyond them.



Some people relive the past.
They recount the events of the past in great detail
in their minds over and over again.

All of the negative emotions which they felt then, they feel again.
And the beat themselves up for the events that are forever gone.



Some people surrender to the past.
They decide that they will never rise above the past
and resign themselves to be what the past has made them.
After all, the lot has been cast, and they are a product of their past.


Others defy the past and refuse to be dominated by it.
They recognize that while the past is an unchangeable part of their history,
they can do something about themselves
and how they deal with the memories of the past.



Life goes by very fast. The past is over and cannot be changed. But the present is with us and the future is before us, and God is in us. Forget what is behind; forget the plans and dreams that can no longer be realized; forget the missed opportunities and the mistakes. God has plans for us. Reach up for them; press on for His goals; look ahead and see Christ; look ahead and see life--real life, eternal life.

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