Forgetting The Past

“This one thing I do,” the apostle said. “Forgetting what is behind and reaching for what is ahead . . . “

Can anyone really move forward while looking back? I guess it’s possible, if one chooses to walk backwards; but that would make the journey two or three times as long (and more difficult).

There are so many examples in scripture of people leaving something or somewhere for something or some place that was “better.” Hebrews 11 mentions a few of these men (Abraham, Joseph, Moses) and the new testament writings tell of Peter, the fisherman, leaving his business to follow the Lord, and Paul, a zealous Pharisee, leaving everything he knew and held dear to follow the plan God had for His life.

Leaving the past is one thing; forgetting it, is another. Whether it’s the silly little things we have done or said that we wish we hadn’t (like the time I interrupted a pastor in the middle of his sermon because he was preaching something I felt was completely horrible—I was only 15), or the things we thought we heard from God that we didn’t (like the time I was convinced God was going to give me a “white jeep” for my high school graduation—don’t ask why—or the other time that I thought I knew who I was going to marry someday, even though I was only sixteen), or the “bigger” things—the major mistakes or struggles, or the hurtful things we have done or said or that were done or said to us. Everything in our past has the power to impact who we are and who we will become.

When the apostle said he was choosing to forget the past, I don’t think he meant that he would or could ever deny his life experiences. I doubt he was able to actually “forget” the time he stood and watched with “hearty approval” young Stephen being stoned to death. Paul remembered—that is, he recollected the “former days” before he came to know Christ intimately (remember, he said that he was “the chief of sinners”). But in order to “move on” and fulfill God’s call for his life, Paul could not let himself be bound to his past. He couldn’t dwell on things he couldn’t change or beat himself up about the mistakes he made. If he did, he would hinder the work God had given him to do. (Again, you won’t get very far if you’re looking back or walking backwards.)

The writer of Hebrews put it this way: “let us lay aside everything that hinders . . . and run the race marked out for us . . . fixing our eyes on Jesus.” This is how we “forget” the past. We lay aside the hurtful memories, the embarrassment, shame, and self-accusation, and we fix our eyes on Jesus, the “author and perfector of faith.”

“I have been crucified with Christ,” Paul said. He also said he had been “raised with him to newness of life in Christ.” Paul’s ability to “forget” the past—to not allow it to haunt, rule, or hinder him from walking in obedience, enabled him to function in the full power of the Spirit. When the enemy of his soul brought accusations he could rest in the knowledge that his “old man” of sin had been crucified, and that the same Christ that rose from the grave was able to bring beauty out of the ashes of his former life.

When our past tries to haunt us (even if it was just yesterday) we can and must do what Paul did—forget it. Lay it aside, fix our eyes on the One who has saved us, raised us, and who promises to be with us always. He will not and cannot fail.

“. . . I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. . . . one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:12-14

“But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:62

Peace,

Stephanie

Stephanie Staples
www.StephanieStaples.com
www.Stephologie.com
www.atlantaworshipleader.com