A car towing a trailer drove up to the border post. When the customs agent inspected the contents of the trailer, he found stacks of notebooks—spiral, loose-leaf, and even scraps of paper bound together. “What are these?” he demanded. “Oh, they are just records”, the driver replied. “Records of what?” the agent inquired. “These are the records of all the wrongs people have done against me.” This puzzled the official who was a Christian. “Why are you taking them with you? You realize they are illegal? They will only weight you down and infect you with bitterness. You, need to leave them behind.” Visibly upset the driver asked, “Are you going to confiscate them?” “No, I don’t have the authority. Only you can make that choice.” The driver now confronted with a decision recollected every painful experience recorded in the notebooks. Glancing at the border crossing sign, Welcome to the New Year created a crisis moment, “Will leaving them behind make for a better future?”
Everybody will pass through this border in a few hours. What will you take with you? Paul writing from his Roman prison to the Philippian church, tells them he approached the future by following three basic guidelines. First, forgetting what lies behind (3:13) or better translated, Let go those things which are past (BBE). Even if you can’t erase an offense from your memory, you can let it go. In order words, leave the trailer behind; don’t allow past hurts to continue weighing you down. Paul could have filled a tractor trailer with records. Instead, he practiced what he preached. He let go of the conflict with John Mark who failed him by abruptly abandoning the first mission’s journey. Paul wrote in the next chapter, Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry (2 Tim 4:11 ESV). He instructs the Ephesian church, get rid of [let go of] all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Eph 4:31-32 NIV). Paul even let go of lawful things that were not profitable and did not edify (1Co 10:23).
Paul’s second guideline after letting go of the past was reaching forward to what lies ahead (v13). He often used the analogy of a race in his epistles. In one reference, he says to run in such a way that you may win (1 Corin 9:24). You’ve never seen an Olympic track meet with someone running backward focused on the starting line or going around the course dragging a cart full of notebooks. I’ll agreed that sounds absurd but actually that pictures the way some try to run the spiritual race. No, those desiring to win have laid aside every encumbrance (Heb 12:1) and run concentrating on the goal and the prize set before them.
His third guideline states he focuses on the prize, Christ Jesus. I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus (v14 NIV). Nothing in his past would stop him from moving forward. He emphasizes how important the prize is. Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ (v7 NIV), then with vivid language he writes, indeed, I regard them as dung! — that I may gain Christ (v8 NET). We can also translate the word press on (v14) to put in rapid motion, follow eagerly, or endeavor. Other versions read, I pursue (HOL) and I strive toward (NET). We can’t just let go of the past and think about the goal. We must press on, pursue, or strive toward the prize, a progressive action.
Paul gives an essential element preceding his three guidelines. I do not regard myself (v13). A simple statement, but a truth easily missed without looking at the word’s definition and the grammar. It means to take inventory and to put together with one’s mind. The verb tense indicates something he had done in the past that produced results which were still in effect. Paul had examined his life before writing this letter. This inventory created actions out of which came his guidelines.
You are approaching the border. It is time to take inventory. For believers, Jesus said, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you (Jn 15:12 NIV). Paul explains, Love . . . it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Cor 13: 5). What will you take—lessons, good memories, positive relationships? But, the big question, are you planning to take your trailer filled with notebooks?
Sadly, we probably all know someone who drags the same trailer year after year filled with moldy and rotting records. Increasingly that person is infected with more and more bitterness. They have been angry with someone since first grade; they hang on the hurt from their spouse, a family member, or a friend; they still want to take revenge on their first employer; etc. ad infinitum. Examine your trailer.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Take inventory, let go those things which are past, reach forward to what lies ahead, press on towards the goal, the prize—Jesus Christ.