Press on to possess

What would happen if I rode my bike, went for a walk, drove my car or cooked a meal all the while not looking forward but behind me? Well, if you knew me you would realize I wouldn’t need that reasoning for falling off my bike or tripping while walking (I do that quite well looking ahead!!). A car accident would be more than probable and cooking would be a disaster. What about our relationships? If we always remember and base any present or future relationships on what he/she/they did to us are we not living in the today with our hearts looking backwards?

In order to look forward the Apostle Paul had a lot to forget. Not only in whom he had become or what he did to others in the name of religion, but what was now being done to him in the name of religion.
“…I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me…forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on…” *

The possess Paul describes as central to this process is the same described in the gospels when people brought their loved ones to Jesus for deliverance. This possession is a total takeover of our minds, hearts, a seizing of all of us by Christ. But just as importantly, and we tend to miss, is our possession of Christ; a desperate seizing, a grabbing hold of, and a willful abandonment of all of me, for all of him. When we forgo our righteousness and allow Christ’s to become ours we can release the hold our past has on us today.

I love the vulnerability of Paul! “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…”* It’s ok to admit we don’t have it altogether, and at times we may even fail. But I also love the encouragement Paul gives, “… we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”* This speaks of present, actively pursuing and looking forward, taking the hard road and doing the work by not giving up or in to past behaviors or thoughts.
It is a permanent forgetting of the past in order to create and build upon the present and future.

Wherever you are in this process be assured you are not alone. We all have a lot of work to do…don’t give up! “Press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”*
Our promise: “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Phil 2:13)

*Philippians 3:9-16