Scripture; Philippians 3:13-14: …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.

Meditation: So often, we get stuck. Stuck in sin, stuck in a rut, stuck in a bad attitude – just stuck and going nowhere. The problem is that going nowhere usually does end up going somewhere – somewhere we do not want to go. My first pastor as a Christian often said; that if you aren't moving forward in your walk with Christ, you are moving backward. Our walk is a relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship needs to be cultivated. It reminds me of King David when he fell to sin with Bathsheba. At the time when kings went to war, he was hanging out on the roof of his palace rather than with his troops in the field. It's not that what he was doing was wrong, it's just that it was not the best use of his time and it ended up costing him a big time! I would venture to say that David was in a rut leading up to his series of bad decisions that lead to real mess of a situation.

Paul gives us some insight into how to get unstuck in any situation. We are to leave the past in the past and push forward – to press on. Leave the good, the bad and the ugly behind and continue building our relationship with Christ. It is all old news! Whether the good things we have done or the sin and problems we have caused, it is the past and we are to move on. We are to love God with all our heart, mind and strength and serve Him. There is a prize waiting for us in heaven – that is what we are to look forward to. That is what pushes us to make good decisions and pursue God.

Challenge: Are you stuck – not going anywhere in your walk with Christ? Are you stuck in sin? Stuck in the same old routine at work, home or in ministry? Wallowing in the depression of mistakes, sin or bad choices of the past? Get up and press on! Forget what is behind and strain for what is ahead. Seek the Lord and serve Him in whatever way you can.

Thought for the Day: Lord, you have forgiven my past and you have a wonderful future planned for me. Help me to press on; do continue seeking you in all I do.

E-votion, a weekly electronic publication by Chris Garner from Fortified Marriages