One Thing

How difficult is it for you to have a one thing mindset? Let me just say that the culture we are living in has made having a “one thing” mindset almost impossible. We are inundated with so many commercials and so much information that it is almost impossible to stay focused on what really matters. You might even think that having a “one thing” mindset is impossible. The good news is, although it is hard, it is not impossible. The question then becomes, “How do I have a ‘one thing’ mindset?”
Paul gives us some insight into how to accomplish this when he says “…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” Philippians 3:13 NLT. Do you notice the two steps he is taking? First he says he is “forgetting the past.” I know what you are thinking, “That is impossible!” And you are right. This phrase does not mean “forget” as in “not remember,” it means “to choose to not think about.” This means that I am not going to allow the events of my past to keep me from my future. I will not be stalled by or be side tracked by my past. We can only do this we we are fully aware of the fact that Christ has completely forgiven our past, and we are starting with a clean slate. Secondly, Paul tells us that he is “looking forward to what is ahead.” What great advice. The wonderful thing about looking forward is, if you are looking forward you can’t be looking backward. God only gave us one set of eyes, and where we are looking is where we go. The book of James warns us not to be double minded (James 1:8) because we will be unstable in everything we do. The only way to not be double minded is to have a “one thing” mindset, to continue to look ahead and strive to become more like Christ each day. If that is our goal we will not have the time nor the need to look back at our past.
Let me end today by asking you a question. What would it take for you to have a “one thing” mindset?

-Pastor Tim