(Phil. 3:13-14)
The prize of the high calling of God is in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the prize or the reward that we seek. He's the purpose of your life, for in Him is life. Jesus said, "…I am the resurrection and the life…." (John 11:25).
When the Apostle Paul said, "…I do not count myself to have apprehended…," he was saying, "I haven't arrived yet. I'm not perfect." He continued, "…one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind…."
Do you have some things you'd like to forget from your past? It takes God's grace to forget. Grace is God's power, ability, and enablement. It's by His gift of grace that you are able to let go of the past, knowing that because of Jesus' shed blood, the past is wiped out.
People hold on to the past for several reasons. Some have experienced great things that have happened in the past, and in a nostalgic attitude, they relive them again and again.
Others hold on to a past that is filled with pain and regret. They play painful memories over and over again. Today is a great day to forget those painful memories and lay aside the things that keep you from moving forward.
If you are holding on to things of the past, it's impossible to receive the fresh and new. Paul let go of those things. He had some difficult years, as well as some great things to rejoice about. Yet, he said, "I'm forgetting the things that are behind me because there are greater things ahead of me."
Your future is going to be better than your past. You have everything to look forward to, because your future is out of this world.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Billy Joe Daugherty was founder and pastor of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was also the founder of Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute and Victory World Missions Training Center.
