SET YOUR EYES- Charity Kimes
This spring marks the first in many years where I haven’t graced a single track meet. Our eldest son’s journey through middle school, high school, and college track kept us eagerly attending running events, rallying as a family to cheer him on. Amidst the competitors I never once saw a runner looking back over his or her shoulder post-gunfire. Even the youngest athletes instinctively knew to fix their gaze forward, focusing intently on the ultimate prize—the finish line.
In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul articulates a profound truth as he writes from his prison cell: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Here, the Greek term for “loss” is “skubala,” vividly portraying worthless refuse or dung. Paul describes discarding his pre-Christian pursuits as akin to disposing of unwanted trash—actions and achievements once cherished now deemed insignificant. Paul goes on to say, in verses 13b-14, “But one thing I do; Forgetting what is behind and straining toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Consider Paul’s example. Imagine if he had allowed his past to cripple his ministry. Much of our cherished New Testament might never have come to fruition. Paul grasped the transformative power of the cross and resurrection of Christ. He recognized that his past, however tarnished, paled in comparison to the unbounded grace of Christ. Armed with this truth, he pursued his divine calling undeterred by the shadows of his past life.
Reflect: Are you looking into the trash can of your past? Are there areas where you feel disqualified from Kingdom service due to past sins? Ask the Lord to examine your heart today and replace these unhelpful thoughts with a laser focus on the finish line ahead of you.