LESSONS FROM THE PAST

MEMORISE: 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)
READ: Philippians 3:12-15

Many people think Paul’s resolve to forget the past and to attain future tasks and heights means that one’s entire past should be forgotten. This is far from the truth. Anyone who wants to achieve his goal in life, must be able to learn effectively from his past failures and successes. He must find out why he failed or succeeded. And having identified his strengths, he must sustain them while taking steps to prevent future failures.

Daniel was a most favoured Jewish captive in exile. He remained in the corridors of power and survived several kings and kingdoms. He was able to look in retrospect and trace his past successes to the fear of God, possession of an excellent spirit, hard work, revelation gifts of the Holy Spirit, prayers and fasting. With these, he maintained all his strengths so that, as he entered the reign of king Darius, they guaranteed him greater success for the future.

Everyone has a past. Your past may be replete with mistakes and errors. You might have taken several decisions by trial and error that led to certain regrets. You might have kept the company of certain people, even so-called Christians, who negatively impacted upon you. If you really desire a favourable end, make amends where necessary. You may have to cut off that right hand behind your spiritual instability, or pluck out that right eye which appeared indispensable, in order to ensure a good future.

Take steps to prevent repeating mistakes of the past. If you do not learn from the past, you will keep falling over the same stumbling block. Stop today, identify those stumbling blocks and come up with a recipe for removing them. Moreover, do not allow your past successes to go to your head. If thy do, they will rob you of greater victories ahead. So acknowledge your successes with humility, and a mind to increase them. Past lessons should become experiences to safeguard the future.