“...I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”    - Philippians 3:14

Paul says that if he learned anything throughout his ministry, it was that he learned to forget the things of the past and to reach for the things that lie ahead. He learned he couldn’t afford, spiritually speaking, to camp out on his mistakes, or the mistakes of others. He had to continue reaching forth for the good things God had in store.

If we’re going to go through trials and come out on top, then we have to be people who are established in putting our confidence in God and what He can do. Going through trials and being refined is a process. In order for a silversmith to get high quality silver, he has to heat it up and let the dross come up - all the impurities and weaknesses have to rise to the surface so he can wipe the silver clean.

This refining process in our lives leaves us pure, clean, and gives God the ability to see Himself reflected in us. So today, forget those things that are past - the dross of your life - and reach toward the good things God has planned for you!
Adapted from the sermon entitled, “Coming Through it With Confidence