I took out a few photo albums from our storage closet and lined them up against the wall…in chronological order.  It was my weird way of getting my thoughts organized and step one in preparing a little video montage for my graduating high school senior.

As I sifted through each album (eighteen to be exact), sweet memory after sweet memory flooded my mind…and I’ll be honest, with so much uncertainty going on these days, I couldn’t help but think, ”Are our best years behind us?”

Before that thought could take root and settle in my heart, the words of the Apostle Paul rang loud and clear.

(By the way, THIS is why God instructs us to “Hide His Word in our heart”– it rescues us in moments like these)

”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. I press on toward the goal…for which God has called me..” (Philippians 3:13,14)

When Paul wrote these words, he already had a full resume. He was a tent maker, church planter, mentor and teacher. He could have been done with his career and his “ministry.”

But he knew…God had more.

Keep turning the pages of your Bible and you’ll see, Paul was right. Despite his constant state of prison lockdown or house arrest, God wasn’t done with Paul. He had more to write and more to do.

All are letters written by Paul. Letters which fill our New Testament. Letters which continue to offer you and I hope today.

In one of his final letters, Paul finds himself in jail (again), yet concludes this letter in usual Paul fashion…LOOKING AHEAD.  Paul asks Philemon to “prepare a guest bedroom for him.”  No, Paul is not getting ready for a little R&R. Even in confinement, Paul is making plans to minister!

Sifting through old albums, your social media memories or your camera roll is a great way to remember all the wonderful things God has done…but let’s not get stuck there.

Like the Apostle Paul, I pray we continue to LOOK AHEAD (even if we have to strain our eyes to see it).  I truly believe, the best is yet to come…for all of us!

“Forgetting what is behind and STRAINING TOWARD WHAT IS AHEAD. I PRESS ON toward the goal…for which God has called me..” (Philippians 3:13,14)

-Binu