A popular phrase from corporate America is moving forward, or going forward. It means “in the future” or “from now on”. I will be your business partner moving forward, really just means from now on, I will be your business partner, or I’m going to be your business partner now. Moving forward has become a bit overused, much like the phrase, being on the same page, that appeared in speech and text a while ago when we were challenged to be on the same page with whatever was being discussed or presented. If we were not on the same page, our thinking or behavior needed adjusting. Likewise, being on board with an idea or plan was helpful, as opposed to not being on board, which could prove unfavorable.
Moving forward implies movement. Our walk with the Lord involves forward movement and active participation. Logic tells us that if we are moving forward, we cannot be moving backward simultaneously. Paul the Apostle said it like this, in Philippians 3:13-14, …but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
In order to move forward effectively with the Lord, we must forget the road behind us. Our past--good or bad--is inert and lacks the power to move. Paul knew that only the future held the potential for movement and growth, so he reached forward to what was ahead in his walk with the Lord. Did he know what that was? We’re not told, only that he was determined to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”.
Forward movement is described in Hebrews 12:1, where the writer tells us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Paul defines our race further in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I run in such a way, as not without aim…
Running backward is unnatural, awkward, and dangerous. Don’t look back! Past failures and disappointments are blobs on the road behind you that can’t move.
Moving forward, then, my prayer is that the Lord helps us run in such a way that we win this race—that our understanding of the Word grows, our prayer life deepens, our purpose and place in the Body of Christ is defined and effective, our love mirrors Christ’s, and that we become more and more aware of the Holy Spirit’s leadings every day. Keep your eye on the prize, moving forward!