Do you have too many distractions in your life? I know exactly how you feel and know that we can improve with the right tools.

Did you know that the word priority’s initial definition was singular? Our culture now sees that we have many “priorities.” Priority is defined as “the fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important. To take precedent and proceed before others.” A priority should be singular and specific.

¹³ Friends don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. ¹⁴ I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. ¹⁵ So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! ¹⁶ Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Philippians 3:13-16, The Messageuses but won’t take the time to put a fence around our lives.

I love the humility of the Apostle Paul who said “by no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal…” Paul knew what was important, his words have weight and his life revealed the effectiveness of leaving the past behind. Before we can look to the future and determine our one thing; our priority; we need to take the first step. The King James Bible says, “forgetting those things that are behind…” Have we considered asking ourselves what we need to forget? I have said many times that I do not have a rear-view mirror because I am so focused on the next thing. For us to determine our (single) priority, it seems to me that we should all determine what we need to leave behind. How do we become future-focused rather than dwelling on the past? 

Let’s discover what Paul means by forgetting. The word “forgetting” is used in the present tense, indicating that he “keeps on forgetting” the things in the rearview mirror. Paul’s focus is on the windshield. If he were here today do you think he would refer to his GPS? I do. Paul is in the present tense – in the now – pressing towards what’s ahead of him, he keeps on reaching for the future. 

Paul viewed all his past accomplishments as loss and replaced it with pressing on towards the high calling of Jesus Christ; the true rewards. Do you find this as curious as I do that Paul gave up everything to know Jesus Christ; for His sake, he lost all things? The NIV says:

^{…because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage,…}

I embrace what he says that his accomplishments before Christ are all considered “garbage.”

Seeking to live in His reflection,

Jerry

P.S. Keep an eye out for next month’s newsletter where I’ll dive into Part 2 of the “What’s Your Priority?” series.

Jerry Meek

FOUNDER AND CEO, GLORIOUS REFLECTIONS