"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." Philippians 3:13
This scripture always takes me back to Mexico. Three times it has been a focus scripture - the verses 12-14 have great importance to me. Of all the speakers over the years and different lessons I have heard while there - three times I have (for a full week) been taught from the section. God must be really trying to teach me something here.
The last time I was there, in 2006, I was pregnant, uncomfortable yet completely loving every moment. Gary, the speaker, was teaching about the "forgetting" phrase.
When we look at our bodies...every piece of us faces forward with the exception of our butts. Our eyes, mouths, ears, feet, hands...it all is forward facing. In fact, we were created in such forwardness that is hard to and we have to strain to look behind. It is hindering to look back. Even dangerous at times - like when driving (or rollerskating as I learned yesterday at a church function) - to glance behind.
And the one part of us that does face back, was created for the purpose of getting rid of our garbage. We don't even like to look at what comes out (unless you are Oprah and you are seeing if it makes an "s".)
In this set of verses, Paul is telling us to look ahead - to keep the end of the race in view. He tells us to forget about what is behind, because really, does it matter? Was there a mistake? Fine! Learn from it and move forward. It is not good for runner to be looking back at a misstep because he will trip on what he is not watching out for.
Forget about it! Leave the crap behind you and strain toward what is ahead.
I love the next part, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." A competitor presses on. We look ahead for the finish line - heaven should be on our horizon.
What a glorious finish. Don't look back, it isn't worth it. Learn from it, forget about it and keep your eye on the goal.
