“…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Phil 3:13)
The analogy that springs to my mind every time I read this scripture is of a conversation I’ve had with my 9-year old son many times. He’s an athlete, often representing his school in cross-country and track competitions. I remember what his school coach said before to the team before their first cross-country race across a wet, muddy, and pot-holey terrain – “don’t look back, just do your best and run. It doesn’t matter what others are doing or even if your shoes fall off. Leave it and run”.
Since that first competition, I have repeated similar words to him; reinforcing the “don’t look back” aspect.
Because as anyone who runs or jogs know, looking back slows you down and you then also run the risk of going off track, tripping, falling and injuring yourself.
Paul understood the dangers of not looking ahead. He realized that his sanctification was a work in progress but was determined not to lose focus as he pressed forward in his walk with Christ. When you look back, you’ve taken your eyes off the goal and it’s very easy to be swayed.
Case in point: the Israelites were notorious for looking back during their journey to the Promised Land. Even though they had hated their time in Egypt, suddenly they were recalling fond memories!
“We remember the fish we ate freely and without cost in Egypt, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing at all [in the way of food] to be seen but this manna”. (Numbers 11:5-6 AMP)
They conveniently forgot the bondage and enslavement that accompanied the cucumbers and onions.
Transition
Transitioning from one level to another can be difficult. Sometimes, it can feel like the extra push that’s needed to achieve the goal may be the one that will break the camel’s back (forgive my mixed metaphors). But how about when you don’t even know what you’re transitioning to?
Our world right now is in the midst of a transition. To what? Only the Lord knows but I guess that’s the essence of faith?
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Now more than ever, it may be tempting to dwell on our “old normal”, the plans we had, things we’ve lost or wished we’d gotten the opportunity to do.
Here in England, we started a second lockdown yesterday (initially for 4 weeks but could be longer) because infection rates and death tolls are rising; the US is currently awaiting news of a new government; Nigeria is in the throes of the pain and grief caused by its government; and people in several parts of the world are reeling not only from the shock and impact of the pandemic but also that of natural disasters.
We don’t yet know exactly how any of these situations (and personal ones that we are facing) will be resolved but now more than ever we should be like Paul and remember that these things are “transient” and we should look ahead, focusing on that which is eternal. God.
We as believers, must look ahead to God and His promises.
“Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable”. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 AMP)
These troubles may not feel “momentary”, “light” or “passing” but Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) promises that,
“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]”.
As we forge ahead in this global season of transition, I pray for grace for you and I to keep our minds stayed on God. Let’s remember that even in the midst of these storms, He is with us.
This post was originally written for Five Minute Friday, but may also be linked up here.
(Image credit: Gaelle Marcel from Unsplash)
Our #hope in #God is our anchor as we press ahead in the midst of this turbulent season. Share on X
Thank you for the uplifting reminder of how temporal our current situations are!
So encouraging, thank you for fixing our eyes on the hope before us. May the Lord bless you anew with insight and wisdom your current time of Lockdown.
Amen. Thank you for your prayers 🙂
So true that we are living in continual transition these days. Let’s keep our focus forward and God-ward!
Beautiful reminder as we look ahead >>> He has gone ahead of us!
perfect illustration! yes looking back slows us and depresses us because He is in the now calling us ahead towards Him. Pressing on to the race we have been called to! Amen!
“He is in the now” – well said Mariel x
Everything is being changed,
everything’s a sweaty fuss,
but that’s the way the world’s arranged;
change is normal, always was.
Just adapt and improvise,
bob and weave and overcome,
and when you are knocked down, rise;
persistence ishow this game is won.
Let the wheel of fortune spin;
the ball will roll to black or red,
and to look back is to begin;
to retreat’s to be ahead
and before the current cycle’s through,
the transition will catch up to you.
“But how about when you don’t even know what you’re transitioning to?” I feel like God had you write these words just for me. In addition to global uncertainty, I am working through some small scale personal questions. This week a friend, trying to encourage me, asked me hard questions and I just kept answering “I don’t know.” There is so much I don’t know right now, but in some ways I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. I can see the gifts my Heavenly Father has prepared for me, and I can’t wait until I find out what they are. Blessings to you.
Amie, FMF #20
Praying for peace as you wait on Him, Amie! So many unknowns but one constant – God x
Thank you for sharing such encouraging words. Visit from FMF #11
Thank you. Your Scripture rich post is nourishing and encouraging. Blessings. Visiting from FMF.
“Even in the midst of these storms he is with us.” Yes, that’s the encouragement we need for these times of transitions. Thanks for offering that calm and steady foundation for us.
I’m going to feature you this Friday at my blog for the Grace & Truth linkup. Your post here really resonates with me about looking to God in these times of transition!
Thank you Lisa! I’m honoured and glad my words can be a blessing ❤
Jesus, our Firm Foundation!
“When you look back, you’ve taken your eyes off the goal and it’s very easy to be swayed.” So many times, I have resonated with the Israelites. It’s so tempting when the answer appears but then doesn’t unfold as expected. Love your posts.
Thank you Stephanie. It’s so easy to criticise them, isn’t it? But I also resonate with them.
Amen, Wemi. This is so encouraging as I think about what’s next for me and honestly have no idea! The scriptures you quoted from the Amplified Bible are so powerful too …
I’m thankful that God knows what’s next, even though we don’t.
Wemi, thanks for sharing that 2 Corinthians 4 passage. For such a time as this, yes?
Bless.
Indeed, Linda! x
Wonderful post and so timely. I liked your line, “When you look back, you’ve taken your eyes off the goal and it’s very easy to be swayed.” So true! We have to fix our eyes on Jesus. I know it can be difficult but it’s the only way to live in times of transition.
Yes, the only way is forward, no matter how difficult it seems. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
So encouraging, Wemi! It’s so easy to continue to look back especially when facing transition! But remembering our sovereign God is the one truly in control and His purposes are always good, brings peace. Thank you!!
We can surely get discouraged if we look around at circumstances or back at seemingly better times. We don’t know what the future will bring, but I am thankful we can cling to Him and trust Him for it.