Philippians 3:13-14 “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.”

“You don’t understand my past.”
As a pastor I have heard that simple statement time and time again. On the surface that statement couldn’t be more true. I don’t understand everyone’s pasts.
In fact, so daunting is that task that a person could drown while trying to recall all of the facts and events, hurts and mistakes, that comprise a single human being. My memory is just not deep enough and I am prone to forgetfulness anyway.
Ah forgetfulness.
Some of you are quite familiar with this bothersome word. You forget…a lot! While others ask the deep questions of life, you (and I) are left asking questions like, “Honey, have you seen my car keys, wallet, belt, shoes, car, brain, (insert the appropriate noun) etc.
Yet here in the bible book of Philippians, the author, Paul, is telling us that being forgetful is ok. In fact it’s even a desired trait. Yeah. I knew I was ok.
Paul reminds us that while forgetting other things in this life, what we should truly strive to forget is our pasts.
We have all done things and said things in our pasts that we regret. That’s what your past is; a reluctant remembrance of regrettable events. The problem is that many people have not been able to ‘forget’ their past, and so have become paralyzed in the present, and frightened by the future. It shouldn’t’ be this way.
Unless we are willing to become ‘forgetful’, we will never become what God wants us to become. Don’t allow your past to become a barrier to your future.
Forgiveness and healing are available to you from Jesus at your request. So ask. Then your future is available to you. So live.
Remember when it comes to your past, forget about it. Start living each day with the promise of a bright future.
Get forgetful. Remember to forget. And the next time the enemy (Satan) tries to remind you of your past, just remind him of his future.