10 Years Ago to Today … Don’t Care

Yesterday, my wife and I talked some about ourselves in regards to the 10 year game. What’s changed? How are we doing? Regrets? Victories? We determined our son’s life has changed more than ours. And that is expected for someone in their 20s. But in the end, I just didn’t really care what was different.

Before you count me off as callous, intolerant, uncaring, or just mean, let me have 90 seconds.

I know so many people have come so far in 10 years. Bondage has been broken. Lives have been changed. Wounds have been healed. Hearts have been changed. Marriages, kids, losses, gains, jobs, ad infinitum.

But Paul is pretty clear where he states …

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3.13-14, ESV)

This does not mean we are to stop rejoicing in blessings, nor forgetting to praise God for deliverance. And we should never quit examining ourselves for improving. But it does mean “press forward“. The Greek is using a racing term of stretching forward, like a runner at the wire, stretching everything out towards the finish line.

Press forward. Not looking back, for that causes loss of momentum. Not looking around, for that means you’re more concerned about other racers and circumstances than the race. But looking forward, leaning into where you’re going, and keeping that as your focus.

In practical terms, as a pastor, I am more concerned about where you are headed than where you came from. I challenge those whom I pastor and others I advise to look at where they are and let’s move forward.

Cheering each other on. Pressing forward. Picking up those that stumble. Pressing forward. Restoring those headed off the path. Pressing forward. Inviting others to run with us. And pressing forward together.

So you can enjoy looking back. But me, I am excited about 2020 and beyond. (A Buzz Lightyear voice is needed on that last line)

What amazing things He has in store for us. Let’s press forward. Together.