“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” (Philippians 3:12-13 )
Not too long ago, the Singapore national team was disqualified at the Hanoi SEA Games 4x100m freestyle relay due to a fractionally early start that had probably blown their first place in the competition and ended Singapore's winning streak in the 4x100m freestyle relays since 2001. While the media and people are still trying to finger-point which swimmer is at fault, a report by CNA quoted their coach, “We are over it already, we've moved on…the team has already moved on and gone into a whole different mode of racing and coming out of this with four gold medals this evening…” (quoted reference: Mothership, May 16, 2022, reported by Fasiha-Nazren)
Move on! I applaud the Singapore national swimming team.
How often do we stay stuck to our past, whether moments of successes or failures, the praises or critics from our leaders or close ones, things that we should do but didn’t do or things that we shouldn’t do but did, etc. and our failures to move forward? Philippians 3:12 tells us to press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us. But how can we take hold of something when our hands are full?
Verse 13 tells us to do one thing: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. For me, this is taking hold, letting go and moving on!
As I enter into a new phase of my Christian journey, moving out from the marketplace to the mission field, from a familiar to an unfamiliar place, I’m claiming a divine reset of God’s blessings into a new beginning for me, and to receive this fully, I’ve to first let go of the past and then lay hold on God for the new things that He has already laid hold for me. I’m in for a fresh season, a new mind focused on His eternity, and I’m laying hold on the possession God is giving and has given to me. I’m pressing on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me - to take hold that He is with me and before me, to take hold that His favor, power, grace, and goodness are for me, to take hold that He will protect and watch over my family, to take hold that there are many greater things to come, the list goes on.
I'm taking hold and yet also letting go. I'm moving on...
Everyone has a decision to make, a journey to take or a new purpose to pursue. As you do that, may I urge you to also TAKE HOLD of God, LET GO of your past, and MOVE ON to a divine reset of God’s blessings and into a new beginning (a mid-year can also be a good beginning).
You can do it because God is good and He is with you always!
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