Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
One of my favourite subjects in school was history. I enjoyed stories from long ago and tried to imagine what life was like back then. Even today, I still love studying history, especially to help me understand the Bible in its own historical context.
There are many great lessons to be learned from history, but it’s not always good to look back at the past. In Philippians 3 Paul speaks about relinquishing everything he once held dear—his achievements, righteous acts, and heritage—in favour of pursuing God’s glory, knowing Jesus, and becoming like Him.
Paul humbly admits, "I am not an expert at all of this; however, one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" (verse 13 NIV).
A similar message is found in other parts of the Bible:
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." - Isaiah 43:18 NIV
"No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is useful for service in the kingdom of God." – Luke 9:62 NIV
Forgetting what lies behind is key to moving forward in life. The devil will always try to remind us of our past, especially our sins and mistakes. Even the world usually defines people by their past, whether it is their victories or failures.
Are there parts of your past that define you? Do you keep reliving your past in your head, longing for how things used to be? Let go of your past and let God remind you of your future.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
In the words of C.S. Lewis:
There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.
