Kingdom Dynamics Weekly (KDW) December 13, 2021, by Tunde Olugboji Vol 21:50

Can I Really Forget my Past?

One of Paul’s seminal statements can be found in Phi 3:13-14: ‘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.’ As we approach the end of the year, this statement carries even more meaning, but the question is: are you determined to forget what lies behind?

Many believers have little understanding of what it means to forget the past. Some wonder, “How can I forget something that’s happened to me?” One definition of the word ‘forget’ is to disregard intentionally or to overlook. You have to intentionally disregard your past so that it doesn’t keep you from making progress. That means your good and bad past. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new.

While Paul’s goal was perfection, he was not faultless, nor did he expect to achieve perfection on earth. Instead, he used the analogy of a runner in a race to depict the motivation of his spiritual life. Like a dedicated runner, he had a single goal. Just as a runner cannot be successful unless they concentrate on the race, neither can we be successful growing in Christ if we allow other goals to interfere.

Continuing the running analogy, Paul also chose to live by an important principle: keeping his attention on the road in front of him. A runner cannot look back and still focus on the goal ahead. The two ideas are mutually exclusive. A runner’s goal is to focus on the next step toward his or her goal. Paul’s spiritual life was the same. He would not look back to his past steps but focus on improving each step in his race until reaching the goal of being with Christ.

As believers, we can learn from the past, but we are not bound to the things we have done. Instead of being chained by our past mistakes, we can move forward, knowing that we carry Christ’s forgiveness. Remember, it doesn’t matter what your history looks like, it’s time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice today to press forward. Trust that God has a better future for you. A better year ahead. Trust that he’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you intentionally disregard what lies behind and press forward, God will pour out his favor, grace and blessing upon you and lead you into the abundance he has prepared for you.

Will you pray thus this week: God, as I choose to forget the past, as I purpose in my mind to cast aside the events of 2021, help me not to dwell on anything that may hold me back from my future as a brand-new year approaches. I believe you have prepared great and mighty things for me in the New Year. I choose forgiveness and focus, and I believe with the help of your Holy Spirit, I will press forward in every area of my life. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen

Have a great week.

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