If you are like me I have lost my car keys a million times. I used to think that there were small aliens in my home who would hide my keys and then enjoy watching me search for them. It seems like as we get older we forget a whole lot more. Like for instance, we forget where we place things, peoples names, how something works, and then we get frustrated with ourselves. However, the Bible tells us it is a good thing to forget. Thats right, sometimes the Bible encourages us to forget what is behind us. Many times we get stuck in life because we just can’t let go of something. Sometimes it’s an episodic memory or an expectation we have. The book of Philippians chapter 3:12-14 says,

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

It’s true that we can’t live our lives always looking backward. In order to focus we must look forward and embrace what lies ahead. One of the greatest examples of this in the Bible was Joseph. After all he endured from his own family members and being in prison the Lord gave him a son and he named him Manasseh saying

“It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” Genesis 41:51.

What a real blessing it is to forget! As you think about this past year, don’t get too hung up on all you have endured or achieved, instead “press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward.” Remember it’s God who holds tomorrow, not us. By the way, if you can’t find your car keys try looking in your front pocket. Been there, done that!