One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
I was reading about this new group of children who are called Covid orphans. These young children are learning to cope without their parents that have died because of Covid. We also have Covid widows and widowers. Many people are wrestling with the question about how to move forward in light of the losses they experienced during the Pandemic.
It is difficult for many people to think of a future without Covid 19. After all, we are in a second round of Covid explosion around the world. Many countries have reinstituted restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. In some cases, cities and states are under lock down. This pandemic has transformed the way we think, talk, act, shop, entertain ourselves, worship and minister to others. This is in addition to the psychological and emotional toll this pandemic has had on so many.
Yet there is hope in God’s word that we can dare look to a hopeful future and not remain stuck in the past. As difficult as it may be for some of us, we have to take steps to forget what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. For so many, there is a trail of brokenness, woundedness, sickness, lost of loved ones, lost of income, or even lost of faith in God in our past. Indeed, what is behind has perplexed many. They are struggling to see the light at the end of their existential tunnel.
We can call on the Holy Spirit to give us a push when we feel stuck. There is a prize waiting for us in the future. God has promised a future with hope. But we have to move forward and forget about what is behind. Yes, we have to forget about failed relationships, failed businesses, failure in our finances in the last year, or even the challenges we experienced in our faith walk.
The future is as a bright as we are willing to make it with the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot and should not allow the past to keep us from pressing forward. I like the way Paul says it: “pressing forward.” Looking to the future will not be easy. We will have to train our minds and develop the aptitude to remain positive despite the challenges we face. Pressing means making difficult decisions and enduring the vicissitudes of life without losing our faith.
The good news is that God has a prize for those who press toward the goal. What is the goal, you may ask? The goal is to remain Christ-centered as we go through crises. The goal is to receive our eternal rewards from our heavenly father when we transition to glory. I also think the prize is not only heavenward it’s also earthly centered. We need to know that God has good things for us here on earth as well as in heaven. In John 10:10, Jesus promised us the abundance of the Lord. That abundance is real. Some of us are not acknowledging it because we are comparing our lives with other people. But God is faithful to supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory.
The prize is the peace of God that passes all understanding. It is living in the favor of God and walk with the Spirit of God so that we will not go astray from God. So yes, the future is promising and worth anticipating. Because of Jesus Christ, we should wake up every morning, faithful, focus and fearless so we can make the best of every opportunity given to us by our Father in heaven.
Questions for Person Reflection
Do you feel stuck in the past because of the pandemic?
How can you help a brother or sister who is struggling to forget what is behind them?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, teach me how to forget what is behind me when I am losing sight of the bright future and the prize that you have purposed for me. May I learn to press toward the prize when I am emotionally overwhelmed, and despair wants to steal your joy in my heart. Thank you for your promises through Christ Jesus; and for the heavenward future you have for those who trust in Him.