Looking to the past, to see the possibility of a future….
For the most part, I believe we should press onward and forget what lies behind. Of course, that’s not saying we cannot learn from history. We have all heard the famous quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. However, we have in the scriptures commands to look forward.
Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
It’s almost as if Paul wrote, forgetting former sins, former desires, former pastime activities that do not bring you closer to the Lord. Instead, pursue God, run after His righteousness, seek the Lord with all that you have.
In this instance, however, we must look to the past, to see the possibility of a future. We must look at the first Advent, the First
Noel, the coming of the Son of God, to be the Savior of the World. If it were not for the Son of God, coming to be our Savior, we wouldn’t have the hope for a future with God.
During the time of Advent, we remember the first coming of the Lord. However, we have a hopeful expectation of the yet future return of Christ, to call us home. It’s because of the willingness to take on the human nature, that Jesus Christ made it possible for us to have a future home. Jesus promised in John 14, that He was going to prepare a place for us, and that when it was finished, He would come retrieve us. So, Advent is a time for reflecting on the past, while yet anticipating the future.
As we enter into this season of Advent, may we not be too busy to remember what God did when He sent His Son. May we take extra time to stop and ponder the Mighty Works of the Lord God. You can try and do some of the following to aid you in this effort:
- Read a chapter of Luke each day from December 1st to Christmas Eve.
- Watch an Advent Bible study on RightNow Media (we can help set you up with a free account).
- Come caroling on Sunday, December 15th at 5:30 pm
- Write a Christmas letter and send it to our missionaries, their addresses are in the Yearbooks.
- When considering your gift giving, consider giving gifts that have a Christian theme to them.
- Attend Christmas Eve Service at church.
- Share the Gospel with 4 people (1 each week)
May God Bring To Your Remembrance His Rich Blessings Already Poured Out For You!
-James, pastor
And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy - the Son of God. Luke 1:35