Do you like looking at old photographs or items from your past? As we cleaned out the attic and garage this past weekend, we stumbled across many “treasures” from our past. For my children it was toys from their preschool years or favorite books they read. For my husband and me it was old photographs, notes, and even newspaper clippings from major events.
I found my first driver’s license. The big hair of the 80s was enough to scare us all. We laughed until we cried. My daughter was horrified when we came across a picture of her dad in tube socks, high top sneakers and shorts that came to the middle of his thigh.
The walk down memory lane was fun, but we can’t go back there. We have to live in the present and move forward. If we spend all of our time focusing on the past it will negatively impact our present and our future.
The same is true about our spiritual journey. It is great to remember all of the wonderful things God has done for us and through us in our past, but we must focus on the present. What is He doing now? What will He do in and through us in the future?
In Philippians 3:13b-14, Paul says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul didn’t mean he would never reflect on his memories of the great things God had done. He simply focused his time and energy on what was before him. He knew God had a purpose and a plan for his life and he needed to attend to it.
Each one of us has a purpose and a plan for our lives. The Lord has set before us things He would have us do [Ephesians 2:10]. If we focus all of our time and attention on what God has already done in our lives, then we miss opportunities to experience Him in our present and future.
Take time to thank God for all He has done already in and through you, but then focus your attention on today. What has God planned for you today? If you don’t know, take some time with Him to find out.