Looking Forward

Looking Forward Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, 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." (Philippians 3:12-14) Keeping your eye on the prize, the good life, and focusing on the positive events and memories is life's biggest challenge. In my mind, a long-term marriage, career, or presence in any group (specifically a church family) is the most formidable challenge placed before us by the Lord. However, what He asks is to stick it out, focus on the positive experiences, and learn from the negatives. No one is perfect. All the greats of history made errors and remember them, as do all of us. The other side is that everyone has had successes and done good deeds. A life focused on success feeds upon itself, leading to more success and happiness. The reverse is also true. "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead," Thought for Today: Let's become more open in our relationships- with our significant others, family, and friends. Let us look at our resentments, possibly share them, and resolve them so that we may "…press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me…." Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we pray for the courage to be open and honest in our daily lives and relationships. We pray we may become closer and press on toward the prize together. Amen