Thinking Is Hard!

 

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 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. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:12-16 ESV).

 

Tomorrow, May 8^th, we will be traveling with Kyle and Brandy to the “holy land,” better known to many as College Station, Texas, the home of Texas A&M University. In the evening we will be attending the graduation ceremony where Logan (their son and our oldest grandson) will receive his bachelor’s degree. His twin sister, Faith, earned her degree in December, which was a semester early. There is something very special about being a part of this time of transition. It is certainly a milestone for him to be proud about.

 

I have often spoken at baccalaureate ceremonies in the past, though this time I will merely be a very proud grandpa. He will graduate with honors with a business degree. We have had some conversation surrounding the rigorous academics necessary to achieve this degree, though he was always humbler about it than I. He did confess that he would be glad to take a little time off where he didn’t need to “think so hard.” And, perhaps there is some truth to the statement of “thinking is hard.” However, thinking is simply a way of life. I often find myself lost in thought especially about the past or the future. Inevitably those are the times when I am most tempted to lose sight of the incredible present God has given to me.

 

This important truth is embedded in our reading today from the Apostle Paul as he writes to the church at Philippi. Paul could have said a great deal about his adventuresome past; some of it would have been said with pride and others of it would have whispered with regret. No one of us, no matter how accomplished or successful can truly look back without some sense of failure or regret. It is a natural part of our lives. Paul could have looked forward into his life and recognized that the future was not nearly as bright as some of his past. In fact, at the time of his writing this epistle he is in prison at Rome awaiting final sentencing, which undoubtedly would be a gruesome execution for the entertainment of the crowds drawn to the Coliseum.

All of us have those kinds of moments where the past haunts us and the future terrifies us. So, let me lay this principle before you. It has served me well, especially in these latter decades of my life: Never let past failures or future fears rob you of present joy.

 

Remember how Paul put it… 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.

 

There’s really not a lot of “thinking” in that statement. Of course, I would encourage you to learn from all your past experiences. Both those you have done well with and those that you wish you could do over are instructive. But once the lesson is learned… PRESS ON! This is how we remain a student in life. I like the way Paul commends his readers to press on toward a very specific goal. That finish line is the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. That insures us of present joy! Remember this above all… Thinking Is Hard. And, in Christ all things are possible. Enjoy your present!