Anchor Devotional

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Happy Tailgating

“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.” Philippians 3:13-14

I had to smile at the insurance advertisement on television with the “mayhem guy” tailgating on his way to a tailgate party. The distracted driver stares in his rearview mirror and then crashes into a car ahead of him.

The ad surely makes a person think about insurance, but it also presents a good illustration for navigating the future, face forward. We know what’s behind us. Since what’s ahead is unknown and can cause anxiety, the past might feel more comfortable. To avoid crashing in the present, we need to look ahead.

Let’s put this in spiritual terms for our walk with the Lord. We can take to heart Paul’s words to his Philippian friends. He has put behind him his old life without Jesus, and he presses on instead in Jesus’ name for the ultimate prize: eternity with Him. Paul does not want things from his past to overshadow or unduly influence the present.

Don’t let the past tailgate you. Rather, tailgate what lies before you as a believer in Jesus Christ. Face forward and strain towards what is ahead. Happy tailgating!

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Philippians 3:1-14

INSIGHT
Holy Spirit, reveal anything from my past preventing me from facing the future. Focus my heart on the call before me and the prizes awaiting me. Amen

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Isaiah 63-64
Psalm 102
Acts 26

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