Philippians 3:13

Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
 

This week I spent a lot of time reflecting on the past – thinking about the decisions I’ve made that placed me here at this moment. I thought about the decisions that were clearer to make than others and the ones that gave me no choice or control. 
 

In the midst of it all, I started singing “Let it Go”! 

Don’t judge me. (Several years ago, we went on a fourteen day Caribbean cruise and Markolee was sick the entire time. We stayed in the cabin and watched Frozen one too many times.)  After singing a while, I took the song as an encouragement to leave the past where it is and move on.
 

It’s easier said than done though, because letting go is extremely hard. We all carry those burdens from the past, we all struggle with the ‘what if’ syndrome! What if things were different, what if I took more chances, what if I didn't marry this person, what if I was still single, what if I didn't have children, what if I didn't move to this city and took that job, what if I didn't hurt that person or they didn't hurt me. These memories consume us for good or bad reasons, but what if it's time to let them go and say goodbye. What if it's time to let go of the hurt we carry and remove those memories and ideas that are growing like plague on our hearts? The bigger question still is: What if it's time to let go of the dreams we had for ourselves and embrace the one God has for us?
 

Today I encourage you to stop looking backward with regret… forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead… Be thankful and press on to hope, lean into God's strength, squeeze every drop out of today, and then do the same tomorrow – Allow Jesus to fill you with the joy of this moment and the hope of tomorrow.

 

Reflection: 

What past mistakes or regrets are you holding on to? How are they preventing you from moving forward?

 

Let Us Pray:

Forgiving God, Thank you for not giving up on me, even when I want to give up on myself. Show me the way forward, and teach me how to let go of the past. Amen.

Blessed Love,

Rev. Ontonio