Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us, then, who are mature think this way, and if you think differently about anything, this, too, God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. (Philippians 3:13—4:1, NRSVue)
All of us have a past. We all have things we regret we have done. But we cannot let past failures keep us from moving forward. we do not live life looking back but we focus on what’s ahead.
When I entered seminary many, many years ago I believed things the me of today would say is heresy and sending me away from God. We all learn new things and see things from different places. It is called growth.
Do not hold yourself to who you were. Look at who God knows you are and press on.
Sharing God’s love as you go.
