Moving Forward
Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT)
“I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
You can’t walk forward into purpose while dragging the weight of your past behind you. At some point, you have to let go of what was in order to step into what will be. Paul’s words to the Philippians aren’t poetic—they’re practical. Forgetting what’s behind isn’t about amnesia; it’s about intentional focus. You can’t press on if you’re still looking over your shoulder, replaying old memories, rehearsing past failures, or wondering if maybe you should go back to where it was “easier.” God didn’t bring you out just to leave you halfway. But you can’t hold onto Egypt and reach for the Promised Land at the same time.
Have you ever felt like you were trying to move forward, but something invisible was holding you back? Imagine someone grabbing your arm just as you’re taking a step forward. You’re facing the right direction, your heart is set, but you can’t make progress because something is still gripping you. That’s exactly what it feels like when the past tries to follow you into your future. Maybe for you it’s guilt. Maybe it’s an old relationship, a familiar habit, or even the comfort of a former season. But here’s the truth—you can’t step into what God has for you next while still tethered to what He’s already called you out of. At some point, you have to make a decision to let go.
Faith requires release. You can’t follow Jesus fully while entertaining a backup plan. When Elijah called Elisha, Elisha burned his plow—he removed the quit option. When Jesus called the disciples, they dropped their nets—they removed the quit option. And when God calls you forward, He does so with full expectation that you’re leaving the past behind. Whether that’s guilt, comfort, failure, or even past victories—He’s calling you higher. Forward. Deeper. You don’t need what’s behind you to fulfill what’s in front of you. Let it go. Press on.
Prayer:
God, thank You for calling me forward. I confess that sometimes I’ve tried to bring the past with me—past hurts, past habits, even past comforts. But today I choose to release what no longer belongs in my life. I fix my eyes on what’s ahead. Help me to press on, unburdened, focused, and free. Let me not be distracted by what You’ve already delivered me from. I trust that what’s ahead is better because You’re in it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
You can’t walk forward into purpose while dragging the weight of your past behind you. At some point, you have to let go of what was in order to step into what will be. Paul’s words to the Philippians aren’t poetic—they’re practical. Forgetting what’s behind isn’t about amnesia; it’s about intentional focus. You can’t press on if you’re still looking over your shoulder, replaying old memories, rehearsing past failures, or wondering if maybe you should go back to where it was “easier.” God didn’t bring you out just to leave you halfway. But you can’t hold onto Egypt and reach for the Promised Land at the same time.
Have you ever felt like you were trying to move forward, but something invisible was holding you back? Imagine someone grabbing your arm just as you’re taking a step forward. You’re facing the right direction, your heart is set, but you can’t make progress because something is still gripping you. That’s exactly what it feels like when the past tries to follow you into your future. Maybe for you it’s guilt. Maybe it’s an old relationship, a familiar habit, or even the comfort of a former season. But here’s the truth—you can’t step into what God has for you next while still tethered to what He’s already called you out of. At some point, you have to make a decision to let go.
Faith requires release. You can’t follow Jesus fully while entertaining a backup plan. When Elijah called Elisha, Elisha burned his plow—he removed the quit option. When Jesus called the disciples, they dropped their nets—they removed the quit option. And when God calls you forward, He does so with full expectation that you’re leaving the past behind. Whether that’s guilt, comfort, failure, or even past victories—He’s calling you higher. Forward. Deeper. You don’t need what’s behind you to fulfill what’s in front of you. Let it go. Press on.
Prayer:
God, thank You for calling me forward. I confess that sometimes I’ve tried to bring the past with me—past hurts, past habits, even past comforts. But today I choose to release what no longer belongs in my life. I fix my eyes on what’s ahead. Help me to press on, unburdened, focused, and free. Let me not be distracted by what You’ve already delivered me from. I trust that what’s ahead is better because You’re in it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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