“Brethren, 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,” – Phil. 3:13
Several years ago I preached a revival meeting in Kansas City, Mo. The pastor had been a student of J. Frank Norris and was greatly influenced by his ministry. The sad thing is that while his church was struggling and dying all he could think about was “how it used to be”. Everyday all week, all I heard was about his mentor, and he couldn’t talk without weeping it seemed. Rather than praying or out witnessing all he wanted to do was to sit and listen to recordings of Norris. He was living in the past, which is a big mistake.
J. R. Miller said, “We ought not to live in the past. No matter how full of blessing and good it is, we may not stay in it. Life is before us, never behind us. If we linger, we shall lose our place, and our fellows will press on and leave us.
The best way to live for tomorrow is to do well the work of today; yet the future should always exert an inspiring influence upon us. In the time of discouragement it is the hope of overcoming that brings cheer.
When we are in sorrow it is the promise of comfort that sustains us. In the task–work of school days it is the thought of what manhood will bring of achievement that inspires the student. In the struggles of earthly life it is the larger life of heaven that keeps the heart brave and strong.”
No one in their right mind would try to drive looking in the rear view mirror. Neither should we try to live always looking back at the past. If we are to get where God would have us to be we must get past the past.- HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
