By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

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.

Looking Back Is Satan's Plan, Not God's Direction

My friend, the Apostle Paul gives us a powerful picture of the Christian life in Philippians 3:13–14. He reminds us that following Jesus requires us to leave what is behind and press toward what is ahead.

Does this mean we forget what God has done in our lives? Absolutely not.

There is a difference between remembering and looking back.

Remembrance glorifies God for His faithfulness, His mercy, and His deliverance.

Looking back longs for or glorifies what God has already rescued us from.

Paul understood that dwelling on the past, whether it was his former accomplishments, failures, or even his life before Christ, would only distract him from God's upward call. Instead, he chose to press forward, keeping his eyes on the eternal prize found in Christ Jesus.

My friend, we are called to do the same.

Like a runner who cannot win the race by constantly looking over his shoulder, we cannot faithfully follow Christ while our hearts remain attached to yesterday. The moment our focus shifts from Jesus, we become vulnerable to distraction, compromise, and deception.

That is why the Apostle Paul asked the believers in Galatia:

Galatians 5:7 (NIV)
"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?"

Notice Paul's question. He did not ask, "Why did you stop believing?" He asked, "Who cut in?"

The enemy often doesn't begin with open rebellion. He begins with subtle distractions, unresolved wounds, misplaced priorities, or the temptation to believe that life apart from God wasn't so bad after all.

But God's Word calls us to another direction.

Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV) encourages us to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

My friend, if the Son has set you free, don't return to the chains He died to break. Remember God's faithfulness, but don't long for the life from which He delivered you. Keep pressing toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Is there anything that is pulling your eyes away from Jesus and keeping you from pressing toward the purpose God has for your life?

The enemy wants you to dwell on what is behind. Jesus calls you to press toward what is ahead. Keep your eyes on Christ, and never let your past steal the future God is leading you into.

Weekly Scripture Philippians 3:13-14