Pastor’s Weekly Refuel 

PRESSING TOWARD OUR FUTURE

 

Hebrews 12:1- 2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us , 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him…

NKJV

Jason’s greatest disappointment is that he is no longer player he was “back in the day.” He fails to take into account the reality that his awesome afro of days gone by has gone bye-bye. His wondrous smile now shines white, yellow and brown and his once cool stroll is now a defined limp. He is just beginning to realize, “I may be losing by player’s card.” No, my brother, your player’s card has been inactive for more than 20 years.

Nancy still likes to wear short skirts that got her attention when she was in her 20s – more than a quarter century ago. She completely discounts the four pounds she has gained each year since her heyday. Despite her provocative dress, stiletto heels and more weave than Mariah Carey, she is upset that she “can’t turn heads like she used to.” In reality, she is still turning heads, but people are looking trying to figure out why this 48 year old woman is dressing in clothes that are at least two sizes too small and too many inches too short.

Both Jason and Nancy are classic examples of so many people, including Christians, who are trying to live their lives in the rear view mirror. Instead of “pressing for the mark” (Philippians 3:14) and “running the race” (Hebrews 12:1b) that is ahead of them, they are constantly trying to rekindle the “good ole days.” That’s why groups like the Bar-Kays; Ohio Players; Earth, Wind and Fire; Crosby, Stills and Nash and Chicago are still on tour today. We remember the good ole days with such fondness and have a difficult time dealing with the realities of today.

We all need to understand that the plan God has for us does not have a reverse gear. Hebrews 12:1 clearly tells us to “run the race that is set before us.” I recently watched the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials and did not see one athlete running backwards trying to get to the starting line. God is asking us to keep our eyes “fixed on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2) Unless you have eyes in the back of your head, the only way to do that is to look in front of you. Our Lord is moving forward. Remember how God went ahead of the children of Israel after the left Egypt. He went ahead of them to lead and guide them in the direction he wanted them to go (Exodus 13:21). It is not about what we used to do, it is about what God wants us to do. All the madness in our past had a reason, a season and purpose; it was to prepare us for our future in Christ (Ephesians 2:10). It was a molding process (Jeremiah 18:6), to get us ready for our current assignment, our new mission because old things should have passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So instead of lamenting the conquests of your past, understand that you can be “more than a conqueror” (Romans 8:37) in your future. Ask God His plan for you today, for this is the day that He has made (Psalms 118:24a). What does He has for you to accomplish today? Who does He want you to talk to today? Who is looking at how you are living, talking, walking and dressing today who needs Jesus? Allow the word to be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Psalms 119:105) – that will propel your forward into your destiny. The memories of our past seem like our days of glory. But in reality, our best days are still ahead of us (Haggai 2:9) if we are obedient to God.

 

Be Blessed, Be Thankful and Press Forward

 

Your Pastor,

Marvin R. Wamble

Shiloh Community UMC

12695 Shiloh Church Road

Newburg, MD 20664