Faithful to the Finish: Confidence From Philippians for Church PlantersSample

DON’T LET THE PAST LIMIT THE FUTURE

They have a saying in sports about relief pictures (in baseball) and kickers (in football). They say, “You have to have a short memory!’ What does that imply? “You can’t let the last miss, stick in your head. You have to forget it so you don’t let it influence your next attempt.”

This is a principle of life. Failures don’t have to be final. They only become permanent when we allow them to become the defining moments of our lives. The God we serve is a redeemer. He never allows the devil to have the final say. He always has another move to make. I love to say it like this, “Nothing and no one can stop God’s plan for my life.”

In Philippians chapter three, Paul writes powerful words that need to become a confession for every pastor, leader, and church planter. The statement that Paul shares is an underlying philosophy of his life.

“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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Here are the steps:

1. Forget the Past - We let go of our mistakes, successes, and struggles.
2. Focus on the Prize - We choose to look to the finish line. We remember the goal.
3. Fulfill the Purpose—We are running the race that God has outlined for us. He continues to call us forward to the assignment that has been given to us.

Some of the things we may need to let go of are in the distant past. Others may have happened just yesterday. Either way, we need to have long vision and short memories. God does not expect us to be perfect. Rather than trying to do everything perfectly, we should take note of and celebrate our progress.

Actually, this is what mature leadership looks like. Paul adds this statement to the previous verses: ‘All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.’ (Philippians 3:15). The process that you are in is what God is using to grow you, and cause you to mature in Him.

Don’t count yourself out. There is so much more ahead of you.