Forget the Past
Philippians 3:7-14 (NIV)
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Reflection
I served as my own sun in orbit circling ‘round myself, always seeking my own treasure — MY worth, MY fame, MY wealth.
But then my stars came crashing down and all I gained was lost.
My problems they all seemed too large. I could not bear the cost.
For self seems small when each day is done…
…in the perspective of God’s kingdom, on the far side of the sun.
Constellation grandeur, mysteries of the Milky Way, dwarf the details of my life and the toil of all my days.
My life’s work is but a shooting star, fading quickly. Few will see.
My all is but so little. Let God’s love be my legacy.
For love looms large when reflected from God’s Son…
…in the perspective from the heavens, on the far side of the sun.
The sun will rise. The sun will fall. May God’s big love make my self small.
From He who brought the stars to be, let God’s love be my legacy.
For each lesson that is taught and each battle that is won…
…how do our lives look from the far side of the sun?
Forget the past for a future beyond the far side of the sun.
Action Steps
Determine how you assess your worth. Is it based on the fleeting whims of the world, or on God’s eternal love? Ask God what steps you need to take so you can see your worth through His eyes.
Prayer
Lord, Your grandeur can make me feel so small sometimes, so insignificant. It can make all I’ve accomplished seem so trivial. Please help me to forget my past pursuits that were focused on attaining the accomplishments favored by the world. Help me set my eyes firmly upon You, Lord, and Your plans and purposes lovingly crafted for me. May Your big love make my self small. Amen.
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Reflection
I served as my own sun in orbit circling ‘round myself, always seeking my own treasure — MY worth, MY fame, MY wealth.
But then my stars came crashing down and all I gained was lost.
My problems they all seemed too large. I could not bear the cost.
For self seems small when each day is done…
…in the perspective of God’s kingdom, on the far side of the sun.
Constellation grandeur, mysteries of the Milky Way, dwarf the details of my life and the toil of all my days.
My life’s work is but a shooting star, fading quickly. Few will see.
My all is but so little. Let God’s love be my legacy.
For love looms large when reflected from God’s Son…
…in the perspective from the heavens, on the far side of the sun.
The sun will rise. The sun will fall. May God’s big love make my self small.
From He who brought the stars to be, let God’s love be my legacy.
For each lesson that is taught and each battle that is won…
…how do our lives look from the far side of the sun?
Forget the past for a future beyond the far side of the sun.
Action Steps
Determine how you assess your worth. Is it based on the fleeting whims of the world, or on God’s eternal love? Ask God what steps you need to take so you can see your worth through His eyes.
Prayer
Lord, Your grandeur can make me feel so small sometimes, so insignificant. It can make all I’ve accomplished seem so trivial. Please help me to forget my past pursuits that were focused on attaining the accomplishments favored by the world. Help me set my eyes firmly upon You, Lord, and Your plans and purposes lovingly crafted for me. May Your big love make my self small. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
February
Generosity Begins With PriorityThe Heart of GivingTithing as an Act of FaithThe Blessing of GenerosityTrusting God's FaithfulnessSeeing Yourself Through Jesus' EyesThe Power of Jesus' CallFrom Broken to BlessedEmpowered for PurposeHope for the FutureGod Knows Your NeedBringing Your Needs to JesusFaith in the Face of ImpossibilityJesus' Power Over Death and DiseaseTestimony of God's FaithfulnessCreated For A PurposeCompassion In ActionOvercoming Fear To Share HopeMeeting Needs To Show LoveAnswering the Call
March
HosannaWhat a MiracleI Speak Jesus InhabitJesus Over EverythingThe Risky Call of DiscipleshipGod's Presence in Our VulnerabilityThe Sword of TruthThe Power of Small Acts of KindnessEnduring Faith in the Face of AdversityGod's Perfect TimingAnswering the CallEmpowered for ServiceEmbracing God's Greater PurposeFaithfulness in TrialsAnswering God's CallOvercoming Doubt and FearPerseverance in ObedienceGod's Faithfulness in Our JourneyMountaintop Experiences and Everyday Faith The Danger of Covetousness
April
Trust in God's ProvisionInvesting in God's KingdomThe Deceitfulness of WealthLiving for EternityTrusting God's TimingWalking in Bold FaithObedience When It’s HardThe Power of Your InfluenceRemembering God’s GoodnessThe King We NeedThe Exchange of InnocenceFrom Death to LifeTrue Freedom in ChristThe Power of Sacrificial LoveThe Relentless Love of the Good ShepherdCelebrating the FoundThe Father’s Unconditional LoveThe Heart of JesusHope in God's Unfailing LoveUnmet Expectations and God's LoveFaith in the Midst of ConfusionThe Power of God's Presence
May
Hope Beyond Present CircumstancesTrusting God's Love in SufferingSeeing God’s Hand ClearlyRekindling Your Spiritual FireLearning to Trust the TeacherLoving God Through ActionGrowing Through CorrectionPosture of DependenceReceiving the InvitationWalking the Hard but Holy RoadFreedom Through GraceAnchored in PeaceEmbracing the Rhythm of RestReframing the Sabbath Through Jesus
No Comments