What’s Next?
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
Watching college football Saturday, I noticed a running back make a great run, and a wide receiver make an amazing one handed catch! In both instances, after they were tackled, they got up and tossed the ball to an official. Then, they immediately looked to the quarterback to see what the next play would be.
Sometimes we are tempted to live in the past. Continually thinking of a “great play” we have made.
Paul would tell us to forget all that, and move forward.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
If anybody could have sat down and watched an amazing highlight reel in his mind, it would be Paul.
He was well educated, and if he were alive today, he would probably be known as “Dr. Paul, PHD.”
But, he chooses not to live in the past. Instead, he keeps moving forward.
How do we keep moving forward and not dwell in the past?
First: Paul tells us to let go of the past. “Forgetting those things that are behind…”
Second: Keep moving forward! “reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” The dictionary definition of reach is to “stretch out an arm in a specified direction in order to touch or grasp something.”
It says “specified direction.” (Not aimlessly grabbing at whatever comes along.)
This leads us to the third key. Reach for the goal. Paul said: “… I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul wanted to finish well, and kept his eyes on the goal.
I mentioned earlier that the running back and the wide receiver looked to the quarterback for direction, what the next play would be. In the same manner, let’s keep our eyes fixed on God.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
Even if you get tackled today, get up, and look to God for “the next play.”
See you in the end zone!
