Today’s Reading | Philippians 3:12-21
One Thing
Could you squeeze everything you do into “one thing?” Or is your life filled with so many things that to describe what you do that you would have to use the number five or ten. What an amazing statement the Apostle Paul makes in today’s reading! He says in verse 13, “one thing I do.” The one thing he did was to press on toward the goal to which God had called him. No matter what he did in his life, it could all be boiled down into “one thing.” How did he do it? He did it by forgetting the past and straining toward the future. Why is it important to forget the past? First, the past can cripple you with guilt over past sin or past failures. Second, the past can make you proud. You can look back and become satisfied with what you have done and no longer strive for what is ahead. So if Paul wanted to achieve his “one” goal, he had to forget the past and strive for the future. Remember that Paul’s past included high achievement… and murder. Guilt and pride will keep you from moving forward. What is your “one” goal? Is it to win the prize God has for you? Forget the past, its failures and its successes, and strive for what is ahead. The past can be a dangerous place, so leave it there!
Today’s Questions
Say What?
Observation: What do I see?
So What?
Interpretation: What does it mean?
Now What?
Application: How does it apply to me?
Then What?
Implementation: What do I do?