Reaching Forward

but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13b-14 NAS)

My colleagues and I were informed recently that there will be some organizational restructuring for the division we are currently working in. Each of us will soon be reporting to new supervisors and managers, and the division will cease to exist. In a short span of two days, everything relating to how we work changed, and we are currently all feeling disoriented and somewhat apprehensive because of the uncertainty of our job scope in the future.

The first thing that came to my mind when I received the news was the Bible verse "forgetting what lies behind ... I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). That set my heart at peace, despite being a little apprehensive. This is because since the day I started work at this place, I was assured that this job was God-given—an answer to a specific prayer. It was in a time of need that God provided this job as the means of my and my family's livelihood.

Like me, many of us may have faced similar situations where after a long period of stability, something unexpected happens that changes the way we live. Such unexpected event can come in many forms and may include the loss of a job, restructuring at the workplace, an ailment or someone in the family who falls sick and needs special care. In such situations, we often feel ourselves at a lost because of the uncertain future. We may tell our soul, "Be still and know that God is in control" (Psalm 46:10), yet be unable to remain calm.

In times like this, we must learn to be like Abraham.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10 NAS)

Like Abraham, we must confidently take the step of faith in reaching forward to what lies ahead, even when we are unsure where we are going. By faith, we should adapt to new environments and continue to look toward God as the architect and builder of our future (Hebrews 11:8-10). Rather than look back to the past, let us forget what lies behind and press on toward the goal for the upward call of God (Philippians 3:13-14). Let us do whatever needs to be done from our heart without grumbling or disputing, that we may prove ourselves blameless, innocent and above reproach, knowing that from the Lord we will receive our reward (Colossians 3:23-24; Philippians 2:14-15).

Teach us dear Lord to always be ready to accept changes in our lives and to adapt positively in handling unexpected situations and new environments. You O Lord are the architect and builder of our lives, for You alone know what lies ahead. Help us Lord to forget what lies behind so that we can press on toward the goal of our upward call. Instill in us Lord a willing heart to do whatever is required to be done without complaining, that we may stand blameless and above reproach.