Open Journal: Sanctify my LBOS!
It has been a while since I have shared an open journal post!
To re-iterate, an open journal is a type of post that comes from, well, my journal. I bear my heart on the page, and type those pages of vulnerability and (hopefully) insight in hopes to encourage you in your journey of faith.
So, here you go! This one was from just a few days ago!
~~~
Philippians 3:13
"Brothers, I do not yet consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."
We must be determined in "pressing on," very determined. I find myself, (and many others) with LBOS. LBOS is look-back-oops-syndrome. (Yes, I made that up myself! Just for you and me!) LBOS means that we either consciously or unconsciously allow ourselves to look back at our past in a way that swings the door of temptation wide open before us. Through that metaphoric door is a pit of sin. That's the "oops" part of LBOS.
Philippians 3:13 says that even though we are pressing on towards Christ, we haven't quite grasped it yet. But we, with Paul, are called to "forget what is behind."
Okay, so this verse has been POPPING OUT to me in my life for the past 1-2 weeks! It has been hitting me straight in my chest, and I cannot deny it.
Especially this part: Forget what is behind.
If you read last week's post, "Cup of Heavenly," then you'd recall with me that as Christians, we're in this process of sanctification.
Sanctification.
That's a big, long, rather "churchy" word if I'll be honest. A great word, but I have to stop and wonder what does it mean? Better yet, what does it look like in my life (and yours)?
I am convicted in my spirit and in my heart that "forgetting what is behind" plays a part in sanctification. It plays a part in moving on. I am sure you could think of a few personal instances that you had to move on by looking forward instead of backwards. It can be kind of painful and difficult, can't it?
Forgetting what is behind seems easy enough- conceptually. Like eating a donut. (Guess who's got a hankering for a donut, ladies and gentlemen??!) BUT, unlike eating a sweet, fluffy, pillowy donut, actually forgetting something can be a hard swallow.
In a very serious way, LBOS can cause habitual sin to become increasingly addictive. As a bit of a science nerd (I love learning about how God's creation works; I admire his work so much!), when we remember an event or action- a memory- we make that memory or thought or DESIRE stronger. Nerd talk: it strengthens the neurological pathways of that piece of memory lane.
Writing this is a bit difficult for me. Like Paul, I write this to you but have not yet reached or obtained it... yet. However, I believe that through the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, God in all His Graciousness has revealed this to me. I am humbled to receive this tough instruction, but I pray my pride won't be too big to keep me from obeying it.
I know from the past that when I look back, I tend to walk right through the door of temptation of my own habitual sin. And boom. Just like that I'm at the bottom of a sinful pit saying, "oops..."
No more Oops!
I also find myself joking with my family in ways that are contradictory to "building up one another."
Door.
Pit.
Oops...
No more Oops!
I am finding that these (and many other areas that distract me from running my faith race) start with my mind. And our minds are ever filled with thoughts. Our thoughts, good and bad, determine our decisions. Our decisions direct our lifestyle. Our lifestyle leads us straight toward our life after this.
Running towards the goal is to run heavenward, towards Jesus Christ and His purposes.
Think, decide, and live in a way that points others and yourself to Christ.
That's the cure for LBOS. Don't forget it!
Pressing on with y'all,
Melly XOXO
P.S. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Don't give up lovelies!
 |
| Blogging today :) |
To re-iterate, an open journal is a type of post that comes from, well, my journal. I bear my heart on the page, and type those pages of vulnerability and (hopefully) insight in hopes to encourage you in your journey of faith.
So, here you go! This one was from just a few days ago!
~~~
Philippians 3:13
"Brothers, I do not yet consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."
We must be determined in "pressing on," very determined. I find myself, (and many others) with LBOS. LBOS is look-back-oops-syndrome. (Yes, I made that up myself! Just for you and me!) LBOS means that we either consciously or unconsciously allow ourselves to look back at our past in a way that swings the door of temptation wide open before us. Through that metaphoric door is a pit of sin. That's the "oops" part of LBOS.
Philippians 3:13 says that even though we are pressing on towards Christ, we haven't quite grasped it yet. But we, with Paul, are called to "forget what is behind."
Okay, so this verse has been POPPING OUT to me in my life for the past 1-2 weeks! It has been hitting me straight in my chest, and I cannot deny it.
Especially this part: Forget what is behind.
If you read last week's post, "Cup of Heavenly," then you'd recall with me that as Christians, we're in this process of sanctification.
Sanctification.
That's a big, long, rather "churchy" word if I'll be honest. A great word, but I have to stop and wonder what does it mean? Better yet, what does it look like in my life (and yours)?
I am convicted in my spirit and in my heart that "forgetting what is behind" plays a part in sanctification. It plays a part in moving on. I am sure you could think of a few personal instances that you had to move on by looking forward instead of backwards. It can be kind of painful and difficult, can't it?
Forgetting what is behind seems easy enough- conceptually. Like eating a donut. (Guess who's got a hankering for a donut, ladies and gentlemen??!) BUT, unlike eating a sweet, fluffy, pillowy donut, actually forgetting something can be a hard swallow.
In a very serious way, LBOS can cause habitual sin to become increasingly addictive. As a bit of a science nerd (I love learning about how God's creation works; I admire his work so much!), when we remember an event or action- a memory- we make that memory or thought or DESIRE stronger. Nerd talk: it strengthens the neurological pathways of that piece of memory lane.
Writing this is a bit difficult for me. Like Paul, I write this to you but have not yet reached or obtained it... yet. However, I believe that through the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, God in all His Graciousness has revealed this to me. I am humbled to receive this tough instruction, but I pray my pride won't be too big to keep me from obeying it.
I know from the past that when I look back, I tend to walk right through the door of temptation of my own habitual sin. And boom. Just like that I'm at the bottom of a sinful pit saying, "oops..."
No more Oops!
I also find myself joking with my family in ways that are contradictory to "building up one another."
Door.
Pit.
Oops...
No more Oops!
I am finding that these (and many other areas that distract me from running my faith race) start with my mind. And our minds are ever filled with thoughts. Our thoughts, good and bad, determine our decisions. Our decisions direct our lifestyle. Our lifestyle leads us straight toward our life after this.
Running towards the goal is to run heavenward, towards Jesus Christ and His purposes.
Think, decide, and live in a way that points others and yourself to Christ.
That's the cure for LBOS. Don't forget it!
Pressing on with y'all,
Melly XOXO
P.S. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Don't give up lovelies!
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