In Philippians chapter 3, Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
What I do today will not affect what happened to me yesterday but it will affect my tomorrow. Many have resigned themselves to give up and become passive because of their circumstances. When a man or woman loses purpose, death begins to set in. Over the years I have heard of many who have retired and their health declined shortly thereafter resulting in their death. Your spirit and your soul will effect your physiology and therefore one aspect of keeping physically healthy is to be spiritually active and maintain a positive attitude.
Jesus initiated the realization that there is more to life than the physical aspect. He provided us the perfect example of what we can attain above and beyond our physical existence. There is more to life than simply food, shelter, clothing, and video games. There is a wondrous universe which is expanding in an ever-increasing manner. There is no place where HIS Spirit does not exist yet we often do not connect with HIS SPIRIT because of our own self-imposed limitations. Once you have been delivered from sin and/or sickness, you have no excuse for being stationary. Paul understood this first hand due to his deliverance on the road to Damascus. If anyone needed to forget the past it was Paul. I thank FATHER for allowing me to forget certain aspects of my past as well. HIS mercy is more than sufficient to handle all of our past failures.
Each of us should set a goal that is in accordance with our calling. Each week it would be helpful to reflect on the progress in fulfilling our individual callings. There is a balance between being led and initiating action. De-cluttering is not part of my calling but it does eliminate hindrances to the operation of my calling. Too much stuff keeps you from finding what you are looking for and delays your results. Why deal with it any longer? Get rid of things no longer relevant to your life and don’t let them consume any more of your resources.
Each of us has an “upward” call from FATHER and we much reach forward and embrace it. Are you downtrodden? Stop, refresh yourself, and continue on your path leading toward the prize of that upward call. Jesus Christ has enabled us to attain that call by providing the path and the example to live by. Let not the chaos around you impair your focus on your GOD-given purpose. In fact, your purpose may include the removal of the chaos… but only as being led by THE SPIRIT. As we mature our ability to see and discern improves thus we know when FATHER wants us to deal with the issues around us versus letting them play out without our intervention. HIS Wisdom is sufficient to bring chaos to an end and in the appropriate manner.
Paul further wrote:
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
If you are not pressing toward the goal, FATHER will reveal whatever is preventing your progress. Just ask. As you become spiritually mature you will need less encouragement from FATHER and simply know to press on no matter what your circumstances would tell you otherwise. You will no longer be moved as those who are double-minded, who are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Each of us is accountable for our progress toward the goal established specifically for us by a Loving FATHER. There is no need to compare progress for each of us has a unique purpose to be fulfilled.
As I attain a level of maturity, I should live up to that level and not digress to the past. The world would have you believe that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. I believe that once you are delivered and mature past that level, you are no longer living in that past reality. As you die to the former lusts, they will no longer have a grip on your life. The key is to progress toward the fulfillment of your calling and you will no longer deem those issues of the past to be important or relevant to you. As we mature, our ability to deal with the flesh becomes easier and we are able to take command of our lives and no longer live by fleshly desires. Bury the past and don’t keep digging it up.
There are times and seasons associated with your maturing. Be willing to adjust your thinking as you reach the next level of maturity and don’t let yourself be restricted by the past. OUR FATHER is not restricted in HIS Divine Intent and neither should we be restricted in our pursuit of our mandated goals. Press on!