“Letting go of the past”

“Letting go of the past”

Philippians 3:12,13 and 14 “ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also hold of me. Vs 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Vs 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

We have just transitioned out of the previous year of 2019 and into the New Year of 2020. It is also the time that many people make what we call “New Year’s resolutions.” Normally people make a resolution on New Year’s Eve to do something different and life-altering in the coming year.

Many times people don’t realize the difficulty in breaking old or bad habits, and developing new and better habits. Holding on to the past will keep a person from moving forward into their future.

The apostle Paul uses the analogy of a runner running in a race to describe the believers’ spiritual growth. Like the runner in a race, we must continue to pursue and put forth an effort to reach our goal. When a runner begins to get close to the finish line, that runner will start to lean forward in an effort to be the first to cross the finish line. If that runner is leaning backwards, there is a chance that he will lose the race.    

Paul also uses several terms in Philippians chapter 3 that describes positive actions toward “letting go of the past”

Press on; to continue attempts to reach forward with energetic action 

Lay hold; making something your own possession

But one thing I do; remaining focused in spite of distractions that happen.

Forgetting those things that are behind; and reaching forward to those things which are ahead

From time to time we will remember events that happened in the past, both good and bad. It’s acceptable to remember the past, but if a person dwells on the past, they are allowing themselves to be distracted by the past. Dwelling in the past can hinder efforts in the present to move forward.

Letting go of the past has to be done in order to move forward into the future. Believers can use their imagination to be able to see themselves accomplishing the goals that have been set.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, “let us lay aside every weight” and the sin which so easily ensures us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

In order to accomplish goals that have been set, there are some people, places and things that you are going to have to let go of because of their weight. If we don’t remain focused on the goal, weight will ensnare us.

Isaiah 43:18,19 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Vs 19 Behold I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

If a person continues to do what they have always been doing, they will continue to have the same results. With new ideas and new vision, a change can take place, and the impossible will become possible.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Letting go of the past will enable a person to grasp and hold on to the future.

Mark 2:22 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

New ideas will not work if you hold on to old plans. It’s acceptable to glance back at the past, but the main focus should be on looking forward to the future.

Abba Father thank you for the many blessings that You bestowed upon your people in 2019. May the year of 2020 bring additional blessings and prosperity to your people as we “let go of the past” and look to the future…in Jesus name. Amen!