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. Phillipians 3:13-14 NIV
When I was about 14, I was travelling through our little town with my grand Uncle Hoyt in his truck. He was getting older and probably should not have been driving. We were crossing a set of railroad tracks when we hit the back of the car in front of us. It was just a bumper bender and not much damage. This was the time when they were made out of real steel. The truck engine shut off. He became a little anxious and concerned about what to do next, we were stopped on the tracks.
As I tried to help him assess the situation, I looked to my right down the tracks. The headlights of an oncoming train were well within view and coming our direction. He mumbled, “I didn’t mean to hit them, what should I do?” I started thinking about abandoning the vehicle and getting us both out.
I responded, “Let’s get the truck started and get off the tracks and then we can figure out what to do about the accident.” The car in front moved forward and Uncle Hoyt eventually moved ahead off the tracks and away from the oncoming train.
Life happens. Accidents occur. Deadlines pass without conclusion. Unexpected bills take our savings. Unforeseen family responsibilities drain the emotional energies of the day. School or job tasks mount higher and higher waiting for someone to attempt to get a good hold on them. Like standing in drying cement you may feel that your mobility is become harder and harder to move forward.
Paul says it’s important to let go of the moments that have just passed in order to move forward. How? So much emotional energy is involved with the junk that just happened. How does one move forward?
Look to the finished work of Jesus!
You can move forward because He shines as a light for us to follow. His promises are weighty treasures worth enduring through the moment. You are not alone in your distress, He is with you. Wisdom and understanding are available to those who call on Him for help.
You will not get where you are going, looking back. What has happened has happened. Embrace God’s ever present peace and move on. You can do this, because His faithfulness to His children is from everlasting to everlasting. And that is a really long time.
Blessings Love y’all