Philippians 3:13 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…”

To put this scripture in context, Paul is opening up and revealing some important things about his life. He did not make it from Pharisee to a follower of Jesus on his own, that was the work of Christ. He did not make it through as an Apostle by his own strength and courage. He also did not overcome all the obstacles in his life by his own strength but through the power and strength of Jesus Christ.

Paul says the key attitude is to be able to put things into perspective, something that many of us struggle with. Paul says that he keeps his focus on the things that are ahead. All the goals and dreams are out in front. He puts his energy in things that matter not things that hurt or made him stumble and fall (past things).

Paul is saying the foremost things of his mind is to keep choosing to press forward and not keep thought on the things he had to go through, the pain, the sorrow and the disappointments. Rather, he says that he forgets what lies behind.

Forgetting is hard to do unless we have a focus on things we want to accomplish. I’m not saying we have to be always busy, we do need some healthy downtime, but what I am saying is we need to keep our minds set on accomplishments, things that are productive.

That will serve two purposes, one; to keep our minds off of what has gone wrong and two; to have things that we can do that will further the gospel of Jesus Christ and promote positive thinking. Things such as building someone up, encouraging someone, witnessing to a friend of what God has done for you.

Forgetting is not forgetting everything in the past, just the things that are holding us back. Pressing on is having a purposeful, meaningful attitude that we are going to do things that make a difference.

Prayer:
Father, don’t let me dwell on failures, but help me to move on to my higher calling in Christ Jesus.