NOT FINISHED YET

BY PASTOR MATT PERKINS

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.

PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 (NIV)

In our walk with God, we often reflect on the victories and miracles He has done in our lives. While it’s essential to appreciate and celebrate the ways God has moved in the past, we mustn’t become so fixated on our history that we miss out on what He wants to do in our lives today. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to keep moving forward toward our ultimate objective. Reflect on these life-directing words: “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.”

Paul’s words are a powerful reminder that our journey with God is not stagnant. It is a dynamic, ever-evolving relationship, and we must be willing to embrace the new things He has in store for us. We need to deliberately remain open to God’s continuous work in our lives and the changes that come with it. Our human nature often leads us to cling to our past experiences, whether successes or failures. If we are honest with ourselves, stepping out into the unknown can be very intimidating. However, when we allow ourselves to be governed by our past, we limit our growth potential. We hinder our development in our walk with God.

God is always doing something new in our lives, and we must trust Him to guide us through each season. This newness requires us to let go of our preconceived notions about our journey and allow God to mold and shape us according to His will.

Remember that God is not finished with you yet. As long as you have breath, there is more to learn, experience, and discover about His love, grace, and purpose for our lives. We must press on and actively pursue the goals and dreams He has placed in our hearts, trusting He will be with us every step.

Moving Forward

What past experiences have you been holding in your mind? What pain are you holding on to that God wants to remove? Take a moment to ask Him about the new experiences He is leading you toward.