Forgetting and Remembering

Philippians 3:13b-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.

What is your favorite running memory? I have so many, it is hard to choose. I have memories of running with my husband, kids, family, and friends. I remember running in Chicago, Dallas, D.C., and California. I remember running on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Fourth of July. I remember running past deer in an Illinois forest preserve and armadillos on a Texas golf course. I remember laughing until I cried, achieving difficult victories, and celebrating at post-race parties. I remember running fast, running hard, and running strong.

But I have some memories that I am not so fond of. I have suffered through difficult workouts, extreme temperatures, and swarms of mid-run mosquitoes and gnats. I have lost keys, gloves, and sunglasses while running, and I have had shin splints, side stitch, and burning lungs. I remember incurring running injuries and forfeiting race entries because of them. I remember missing my goals, wanting to quit, and being defeated. I remember running slow, running sick, and running weak.

In the Bible, the word remember means to keep in mind. Remembering is an incredible gift, for God says He will remember His covenant – His loving promise of salvation – with His people forever. And He commands us to use our memory in a positive way. He wants us to remember His goodness, love, and wondrous works. Paul, the author of Philippians, tells us that he had to make a choice regarding his memory. He said he had to forget what was behind him and instead strain forward to what was ahead, pressing on toward a goal and a prize.

When you are in a race, whether it is a two-mile race or a marathon, have you ever turned around, headed to a previous point on the course, and sat down? No! That would be unthinkable! And yet, how many times do we do that in our non-running lives? Physically, mentally, and/or emotionally, we turn around and head somewhere that is nowhere near our goal. Instead of remembering who God is and all He has done and promises to do in our lives, we focus on something that we recall: something that breeds doubt or mistrust instead of fixing our thoughts on our Lord who is forever good and trustworthy.

What keeps you from forgetting what lies behind? What stops you from reaching toward the goal and living your life with purpose and meaning, according to God’s will, trusting always in the Savior to carry you through? Whatever it is, God is bigger. Let’s go to Him now.

Faithful God, thank you for the gift of memory. Thank you for giving us the ability to recall Your love, Your kindness, and Your faithfulness. Forgive us for keeping in mind anything that keeps us from You. Reach into our lives and cause us to press on toward the goal and the prize. Let our lives reflect Your love and all You have done for us. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.