LEARNING DAILY

Philippians 3:13-14, Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Keep moving forward as you walk the narrow way, focusing on the ultimate goal of reaching eternal life with God in heaven. Paul is writing to tell Believers that no matter what mistakes they may have made in the past, they should learn from them and not allow them to hold them back or weigh them down. He relates this to a runner who is focused on the finish line, Believers are to put all their efforts into living a life that reflects their faith and values.

Notice what Paul wrote, “But one thing I do.” Focus puts the priorities of the Believer in order. He had one thing to do and that was to focus on the “goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” “Once you define your priorities, they begin to define you” (OS Hawkins). Begin and live each day with the sense of purpose and dedication to living a life that honors God and keeps you walking closer to Him in obedience.

“Forgetting” means to dismiss the mind or to not pay attention to; it is to stop dwelling on something. To win the race, stop looking around, stop looking back or behind. Paul’s encouragement to “straining forward (or reach forward to) what lies ahead” is given so Believers do not allow any distraction to interfere with their growth in their spiritual walk. One’s personal growth as a Believer was Paul’s priority in life; his writing suggests he did everything he possibly could to keep moving forward to win the prize God had for him to receive.

Paul’s goal was perfection – but he writes he had not yet achieved it. It is necessary to tell you as a Believer, you and I are not perfect either. Sorry! We all have our faults, do not expect perfection until your race is over and you step into heaven. Paul gives Believers the example of living their lives for Christ without other goals interfering with the prize ahead.

Hebrew 12:1-2 tells Believers to run the race with their eyes, their focus on Jesus Christ. Holding on to such things as bitterness, unforgiveness, or anything else that holds you back from pressing on to prize Jesus Christ has set before you must be gotten rid of. Going over past conflicts and times you have been hurt by someone only opens hurts that do benefit you. Paul tells Believers to be done with all those things; get rid of every deception, “every sin that so easily ensnares you… and look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.”

It is so important that the Believer’s focus should always be on pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and aligning their lives with His will. That demands one to persevere through all the things that come their way – the “good, the bad, and the ugly.” That can only be done by “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Keep your life focused by Keeping Jesus as the center of it.