“Brothers, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13).

Yesterday we thought about the great necessity of remembering the important things in life. Joshua assigned the task of gathering twelve stones from the Jordan’s riverbed. These were placed on the dry land on the other side to remind the children of the generations that would follow of God’s awesome power. Some things in life are just so important that they must be remembered. But some things in life are important, on the other hand, to forget. Paul instructed the church at Philippi to forget the things which are behind. The word “forgetting” is epilanthanomai which gives the idea of “neglecting, letting go of something.” The word picture painted by the Apostle Paul is vivid and beautiful. Picture a runner in an important race. He knows the finish line is ahead, but he is carrying an umbrella, picnic basket, change of clothes, a skateboard, golf bag, and a carry-out lunch from McDonalds! He’s not making very good headway until someone in the crowd yells to him, “Drop those things! Let them go!” It is amazing how much easier the rest of the race goes for that runner. More about this tomorrow.

For today: Lord, there are many things I should remember and many I must forget. Please help me to get this straight in my mind.