Don't Dwell Forever

[S] Philippians 3:13-14 --
 ¹³Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
 ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

[O] Mistakes are difficult to shake off because they seem to haunt my mind endlessly bringing all sorts thoughts around it with what if this and that.  It's always a good thing to learn from my mistakes but the problem lies when I begin to dwell on it and cannot move onward.  God designed us to move forward and so while I need to take a moment to reflect, learn, and apply for future, I must press on toward the goal God placed in my heart.  The driving factor in life must be the goal (or vision) from God so putting my eyes on that goal where I must dash toward is a key to having a worthwhile life even through ups and downs in life.

[A] At this mark of first year of starting up the small group ministry, I can get stuck on what if I did this and that so while I must make adjustments and corrections to improve the ministry's growth, my heart must lock on to God's "goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

[P] Dear God, Paul's message of forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward hit home for me.  I give You the awesome glory for leading me through with You wonderful encouragements and principles which I must grab in order to pass through this cycle of starting up a brand new ministry.  May I continue to abide in Christ Jesus.  In Your name.  Amen.