Last month marked the 25th Anniversary since Calvary Chapel started. It was remarkable to look back over two and a half decades and realize all that has happened. As I thought back through the years I had to admit that God has done some really amazing things. Many of you know I am not much for nostalgia. As we grow older, some may spend too much time remembering how it was, as if it was better then. The truth is that all through human history there have been times when certain things in a previous generation were better and some worse. It is far better to live now and look forward to what is to come. In light of all this, I would draw our attention to a statement made by the Apostle Paul:
Philippians 3:12–16 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 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 to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. …Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
When Paul says to forget about what is behind he’s not talking about erasing our memories. It can be encouraging to look back and see how far we have come. But it can be equally depressing to look back and see the mistakes we have made. Paul is saying that he is not going to let the past predict his future. We all ‘blow it’ from time to time, and we all have those memories when we should have taken advantage of the opportunities God clearly gave us. The picture Paul is painting here is of someone in a race, and the starting gun is about to sound. In some previous races I didn’t finish. In others I came in last. But today is a new race, and I intend to run all out forgetting the previous results.
My ultimate goal as a follower of Jesus is to become more like Him and to influence those around me to know Christ. My desire is to leave a legacy of following Jesus. I am always looking for others who can inspire me. Last month I attended a small gathering of those who know Carl Davidson well. He has been part of the church since nearly the beginning. When I first met Carl, he made it clear that he was a Christ-follower who wanted to be a useful part of a local church. He has always been a great help to our fellowship. Carl has greeted more people than any other single person in this church. Over the years he has been the Sunday School Superintendent; overall helper any place help was needed; and he is now the senior elder overseeing the spiritual health of this church. I have watched him handle difficult relational problems with love and care. I have seen him pray for and witness to many men who needed to know Jesus. Some of those men have told me that even though they did not want to be Christians, Carl was the best example of a Christian they had ever met. I have observed him struggle through several severe health challenges. In all he has been through I have never heard him complain about his declining health or his need to give up his passion for the game of golf. But I have witnessed his increasing love for the Lord, his zeal for the lost, and his care for the saved. Carl isn’t nostalgic. He’s still in the race. Every day he defines for me what it means to wait for the gun to sound as he enters the race for another day. He is not able to run as fast or speak as quickly, but he is still in the race, a great example to me and others of what Paul meant when he said; “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on…”
I want to end with my thoughts on the end of the passage: “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” All of us, regardless of age, have accomplished something. Life’s experiences are cumulative. Each experience we have either adds to or subtracts from our life. It is largely up to us which way each experience influences our life. The tragedies of life can mellow us and help us to have more consideration for others. The good times of life can cause us to worship and thank God for His goodness. Of course, I realize the reverse can be true. A well known phrase sums it up, “Life’s experiences either make us bitter or better.” I have always thought that cynicism was never to be part of a Christian’s personality. The older, I get the more I realize that if one doesn’t fight cynicism and choose to live a more hopeful life, then I will become negative and hopeless.
I have friends that have accomplished far more than me in life. I sometimes swing like a pendulum between jealousy and praise when I think of them. But recently as I sat through the seven hours of incredible Bible teaching during The Secret Church God really spoke to me about His sovereign plan for my life. I have already attained much in life. So have you. So my exhortation to you, dear readers, for the next 25 years is: “Get in the race. The gun is about to fire. Forget past failures and remember past successes. Push hard every day off the blocks and head for the finish line.”
If Romans 8:28, is true then there is no reason for a Christian to lose hope or believe life is finished, because of lack of achievement or advancement of age. Carl is heading into his ninth decade of life. I expect him to say nice things at my funeral! I see no sign of him slowing down in his service to the Lord. Me neither! How about you?
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
~ Pastor Carl
{ 0 comments }
