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Philippians 3:13, 14, “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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Notice Apostle Paul’s resolve, “this one thing I do.”  If we are going to be successful in fulfilling all the Lord would do through us in 2025, we must be focused on what is before us, not on what is behind us.  We must turn the page from the previous year to the opportunities presented in the New Year. Our vision must be focused on victory, not defeat; abundance, not lack; power not weakness; faith, not fear; success, not failure; possession, not recession.

“Forgetting those things which are behind.”  Paul was saying, “I refuse to look back anymore.”  Friend, you can’t look ahead while looking behind.  You can only focus on one direction at a time. Any farmer will tell you that you can’t plow backwards. The reason so many can’t see a glorious future for themselves is they are living in the past—looking back.  Focused on what has been—what used to be.  Paralyzed by past failures, past mistakes, or consumed with a misty-eyed fond recollection that was far different in reality than what they presently imagine,because they wanted things to be different in their past.  You can’t move ahead, looking over your shoulder at what might have been.

Paul could have lived as a prisoner of his past—perpetually paralyzed by all the mistakes he had done; all the sin he had committed; all the horrible acts he had committed.  Listen friend, all of us have done things and said things, that in retrospect, if we could live our lives over, we would have taken a different course.  But the past is where it should be—behind us.  You cannot unscramble an egg.  You cannot go back.  You will never, ever be able to change what has happened.  It’s over—forever.  Your future is not behind you; your future is ahead of you.  I’ve heard people say, “I wish I could go back and undo some things in my past.”  Unfortunately, friend, that is impossible.  But do you know what is better than an imperfect past?  A glorious future.  God said in Revelation 21:5, “Behold, I make all things new.”

“And reaching forth unto those things which are before.”  Since Paul wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, there must be something “before” that we can reach for; not just something, but some “things.”  There are some “things” in our future we can and must reach for.  Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT), “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

When Paul says “reaching forth unto those things which are before” he is using an expression which pictures a runner leaning forward, straining with all that is in them for the finish line.  He is reaching out with all he has.  Listen friend, take the same amount of energy you’ve been expending in anxiety over the past, and refocus that energy in reaching forth in faith for your prize.  Paul said he was reaching for “the prize.”  The “prize” was awarded to the victor.  This means that what is in your future is victory!  Your past may have been filled with defeat, but your future is filled with victory.  If your past was filled with sickness, your future is filled with healing.  If your past was filled with lack, your future is filled with abundance.  If your past was filled with anxiety, your future is filled with peace.  If your past was filled with fear, your future is filled with faith.  If your past was filled with darkness, your future is filled with light.  If your past was filled with pain, your future is filled with joy.  For every dark night, there is a glorious morning.  For every cross, there is a crown.  For every death there is a resurrection.  For every past failure there is a victorious future.