Cleaning Out The Files

Philippians 3:13-21

13Brothers, 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, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Bee's Thoughts:

Hmmn... God had been speaking to me consecutively every night when I did my devotions. When I read "Forgetting what is behind" in tonight's devotion, I just "wow!"... God knows exactly what I am going through! Amazing!

Then when I read the title "Cleaning Out The Files" and the article that followed I laughed. But it's actually no laughing matter. I laughed 'cos what the article said is really true. We tend to keep in our memories what we shouldn't remember, but what we should remember we tend to forget. *sigh*

When Paul said "forgetting the things behind" he was not only referring to unpleasant things but also pleasant things, such as our achievements. Why forget our achievements? If we don't, we would become proud and too confident in ourselves and not rely on God.

I need to forget what I should and move on (v13-14). I shouldn't let anything (my failures or successes) or anyone (who loved or hurt me) rob me of my joy and peace. I should live my life in accordance to God's purpose for me as an 'alien' on earth. For my "citizenship is in heaven" (v20).


Dear Lord,
Let me not forget what You have done for me on the cross.
But let me forget my past failures and successes.
Let me not forget the good that others have done for me.
But let me forget the hurts that others have inflicted on me.
Let me move on with your strength together with those who do likewise.
And encourage others who are weak to ran the race ahead.
In Your holy name I pray. Amen.