¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus – Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

Living in the past. A great title for a toe-tapping, flute driven 1969 hit for the band Jethro Tull.

But not a great way to walk through life.

For some, the past holds accomplishments and glories from much younger years. Successes outgrown. Trophies now irrelevant.

Some hold on tight to nostalgia and sentimentality, lost in the misty fog of bygone days, memories of people and places long gone, never to return, yet yearned for.

For others , the past is painful. It’s filled with painful memories, scars from past traumas, shame and guilt and regret from events or circumstances or mistakes that you just cannot shake. Awful tragedies entirely out of control.

Living in the past is a problem.

It can keep us trapped in a longing for the “good old days”that robs of the joy Jesus offers us today.

It can keep us imprisoned by unforgiveness, regret, anxiety and fear.

Our past can easily rob us of living a full life in Jesus.

This isn’t to say we should never look back on the good things from back then: memories of childhood or family and friends etc. that warm our souls and put a smile on our faces.

It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be mindful of the lessons learned from mistakes.

What it means is you can’t stay there. The past is gone. As the Grass Roots once sang: sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la live for today.

Be present.

Be here now.

Love those the Lord put in your life now.

If you’ve repented from past sins to God and asked His forgiveness , quit beating yourself up. God’s forgiveness means, in His eyes, your record of sin has been expunged. You are forgiven and free!

If you can’t seem to let go of past hurts, seek help. Don’t continue to believe the lies you tell yourself. Your worth in God’s eyes is so great that His Son Jesus lived and died on the cross for you.

As God said to Isaiah,:

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.” – Isaiah 43:18 (ESV)

God is in the business of restoration. It is important that we let go of the things that have gone so we can grab hold of Him, moving forward and upward for the prize of Jesus!

Seek first God’s kingdom. Don’t stare at the past. God has an amazing plan for you!

You are loved to an unfathomable depth by God.