Don't Get Caught Up Looking Behind--PRESS ON!

I had a dream the other night that reminded me of a couple of things. I will not share the dream, because it was a vision from God specifically about the ministry I pastor. But two things about my journey I will share.

Don't Get Caught Up Looking Behind--Paul wrote, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal..." (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul is talking about both failures and successes--don't get caught up looking behind at failures, bogging down in the quagmire of guilt, lack of confidence, sense of hopelessness. Don't get caught up looking behind at successes, bogging down in flesh-confidence, nostalgia, "good ole days" mentality. But, Press On to the goal that God has in store for you, as you live up to what he has already given you--living Christ-like lives, having a righteousness that comes from God, and a relationship with a Savior who gave his life for you.

The second thing, especially for church leaders: Love the Ones You Lead (and have a special relationship in Christ with)--Paul wrote, "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!" (Philippians 4:1). Too often for church leaders, frustration sets in, because "people are not committed enough," or "people just don't get it," or "people don't change." Then that frustration turns into, "I don't care if they leave," mentality that in reality is judgmental and arrogant--not to mention unChrist-like. Frustration is a fact of life for ministry leaders, but it can never turn into a disdain or uncaring attitude. Paul never said, "I don't care if they leave," he loved them and sought to help them on their journey, encouraging them to Press On, showing them by example and instruction how to move forward.

In all of this, even though he says, "Forgetting what is behind," he always remembered from where he was called, his own journey, and in whom he relied, which is probably why he had a deep longing for those he led on the same journey, no matter where they were and how frustrating it might have been.

Philippians 3:1-21, "Finally, my brothers & (sisters), rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you...I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, 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 and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...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.
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."